AN ACT CONCERNING REVENUE AND OTHER ITEMS TO IMPLEMENT THE BUDGET FOR THE BIENNIUM ENDING JUNE 30, 2017.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:

Section 1.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall establish a subsidiary, to be known as CTNext.
The purposes of CTNext shall be to foster innovation, start-up and growth stage businesses and entrepreneur community building;
to serve as a catalyst to protect and enhance the innovation ecosystem;
to connect start-up and growth stage entrepreneurs with other start-up and growth stage entrepreneurs and with state, federal and private resources;
to facilitate the establishment of innovation places;
to facilitate mentorship for start-up and growth stage entrepreneurs;
to provide technical training and resources to start-up and growth stage businesses and entrepreneurs;
and to facilitate innovation and entrepreneurship at institutions of higher education.
CTNext shall not be an employer as defined in section 5-270 of the general statutes.
Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall establish CTNext pursuant to the provisions of section 32-11e of the general statutes, except that at least half of the members of the CTNext board of directors shall not be required to be members of the board of directors of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated or their designees or officers or employees of the corporation.
No further action is required for the establishment of the subsidiary, except the adoption of a resolution for the subsidiary.
CTNext shall constitute a successor authority to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39 of the general statutes, for the purposes of the powers in subdivisions (22), (28) and (40) of section 32-39 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, transferred from Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated to CTNext pursuant to section 32-39 of the general statutes, as amended by this act.

(b)CTNext shall be overseen by a board of directors, which shall be known as the CTNext board of directors or the CTNext board.
The CTNext board of directors shall consist of eleven members, a majority of whom shall be serial entrepreneurs representing a diverse range of growth sectors of the Connecticut economy.
By education or experience, such members shall be qualified in one or more of the following:
Start-up business development, growth stage business development, investment, innovation place development, urban planning and technology commercialization in higher education.
The CTNext board shall consist of the following members:
(1) One appointed by the Governor for an initial term of two years;
(2) one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives for an initial term of two years;
(3)one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate for an initial term of two years;
(4) one appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives for an initial term of one year;
(5) one appointed by the majority leader of the Senate for an initial term of one year;
(6)one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives for an initial term of one year;
(7)one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate for an initial term of one year;
(8) two jointly appointed by the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding for an initial term of two years;
and (9) the executive director of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated and the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, both of whom shall serve ex officio.
Thereafter, all members shall be appointed by the original appointing authority for two-year terms.
Any member of the board shall be eligible for reappointment.
Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the balance of the unexpired term.
The appointing authority for any member may remove such member for misfeasance, malfeasance, wilful neglect of duty or failure to attend three consecutive board meetings.
For the purposes of this section, "serial entrepreneur" means an entrepreneur having brought one or more start-up businesses to venture capital funding by an institutional investor and "growth stage business" means a business that (A) has been incorporated for ten years or less, (B) has raised private capital, and (C) whose annual gross revenue has increased by twenty per cent for each of the three previous income years of such business.

(c) All initial appointments to the board of directors shall be made not later than September 1, 2016.
The chief executive officer of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall schedule the first meeting of the board, which shall be held not later than October 15, 2016.
The chief executive officer of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall be the chairperson of the board.
The CTNext board shall meet at least quarterly, and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary.

(d) Members of the CTNext board of directors may not designate a representative to perform in their absence their respective duties under this section or section 2 of this act.

(e)The chairperson shall, with the approval of the members of the CTNext board of directors, appoint an executive director of CTNext who shall be an employee of CTNext and paid a salary prescribed by the members.
The executive director shall supervise the administrative affairs and technical activities of CTNext in accordance with the directives of the board.

(f)Each member of the CTNext board of directors shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to reimbursement for such member's actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of such member's official duties.

(g)Members may engage in private employment, or in a profession or business, subject to any applicable laws, rules and regulations of the state regarding official ethics or conflict of interest.

(h)A majority of the directors of the CTNext board then seated shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of CTNext.
For the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the authority, and except as otherwise provided in this section or section 2 of this act, the CTNext board may act by a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance.

(i)CTNext shall continue as long as it has obligations outstanding and until its existence is terminated by law, provided no such termination shall affect any outstanding contractual obligation of CTNext and the state shall succeed to the obligations of CTNext under any contract.
Upon the termination of the existence of CTNext, all its rights and properties shall pass to and be vested in Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated.

(j) It shall not constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner or officer of any person, firm or corporation, or any individual having a financial interest in a person, firm or corporation, to serve as a member of the CTNext board of directors, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer or individual complies with all applicable provisions of chapter 10 of the general statutes, except as provided in this subsection.
All members shall be deemed public officials and shall adhere to the code of ethics for public officials set forth in chapter 10 of the general statutes, except that no member shall be required to file a statement of financial interest as described in section 1-83 of the general statutes.

Sec.
2.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For the purposes enumerated in subsection (a) of section 1 of this act, CTNext is authorized and empowered to:

(1) (A) Employ such assistants, agents and other employees as may be necessary or desirable who shall not be employees, as defined in subsection (b) of section 5-270 of the general statutes;
(B) establish all necessary or appropriate personnel practices and policies, including personnel practices and policies relating to hiring, promotion, compensation, retirement and collective bargaining, which need not be in accordance with chapter 68 of the general statutes but may be in accordance with the personnel practices and policies of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated;
and (C) engage consultants, attorneys and appraisers as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes in accordance with this section;

(2) Receive and accept grants or contributions from any source of money, property, labor or other things of value, to be held, used and applied to carry out the purposes of this section subject to such conditions upon which such grants and contributions may be made, including, but not limited to, grants or contributions from any department, agency or instrumentality of the United States or this state for any purpose consistent with this section;

(3) Make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this section, including contracts and agreements for such professional services as CTNext deems necessary, including, but not limited to, financial consultant and technical specialists;

(4) Procure insurance against any liability or loss in connection with its property and other assets, in such amounts and from such insurers as it deems desirable, and procure insurance for employees;

(5) Account for and audit funds of CTNext and funds of any recipients of funds from CTNext;

(6) Establish advisory committees to assist in accomplishing its duties under this section, which may include one or more members of the CTNext board of directors and persons other than members;

(7) Serve as a resource to start-up and growth stage entrepreneurs in this state by (A) providing counseling and technical assistance in the areas of entrepreneurial business planning and management, financing and marketing for start-up and growth stage businesses;
and (B) conducting business workshops, seminars and conferences with local partners, including, but not limited to, in-state public and independent institutions of higher education, municipal governments, regional economic development districts, private industry, chambers of commerce, small business development organizations and economic development organizations;

(9) Increase the quantity and availability of capital for start-up and growth stage businesses and entrepreneurs including, but not limited to, angel investors and venture capitalists;

(10) Promote technology-based development in the state;

(11)Encourage and promote the establishment of and, within available resources, provide financial aid to advanced technology centers;

(12)Maintain an inventory of data and information concerning state and federal programs that are related to the purposes of this section and serve as a clearinghouse and referral service for such data and information;

(13) Promote and encourage and, within available resources, provide financial aid for the establishment, maintenance and operation of incubator facilities;

(14)Promote and encourage the coordination of public and private resources and activities within the state in order to assist technology-based business entrepreneurs and business enterprises;

(15) Promote science, engineering, mathematics and other disciplines that are essential to the development and application of technology;

(16)Coordinate its efforts with existing business outreach centers, as described in section 32-9qq of the general statutes;

(17) Provide financial aid to persons developing smart buildings, as defined in section 32-23d of the general statutes, incubator facilities or other information technology intensive office and laboratory space;

(18) Coordinate the development and implementation of strategies regarding technology-based talent and innovation among state and quasi-public agencies, including the creation and administration of the Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research Office to act as a centralized clearinghouse and provide technical assistance to applicants in developing small business innovation research programs in conformity with the federal program established pursuant to the Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, P.
L.
102-564, as amended from time to time, and other proposals;

(19) Encourage the retention of younger generation start-up entrepreneurs in the state;

(20) Promote entrepreneurship among students, faculty and alumni of institutions of higher education;

(21) Make planning grants to entities seeking to apply for innovation place designation pursuant to section 7 of this act, provided each such entity demonstrates that its proposed innovation place meets the purposes set forth in section 6 of this act;

(22) Encourage and promote the establishment of business accelerators, including, but not limited to, a satellite of a major national business accelerator;

(23) Make higher education entrepreneurship grants-in-aid recommended by the Higher Education Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee pursuant to section 28 of this act;
and

(24) Do all acts and things necessary or convenient to carry out the purposes of this section and the powers expressly granted by this section.

(b) CTNext shall:

(1) Develop a plan to facilitate stronger relationships between Connecticut businesses and institutions of higher education in order to support entrepreneurial research and entrepreneurial talent development;

(2) Create an informational Internet web site that (A) lists services, programs or events offered to entrepreneurs;
(B) serves as an online community for entrepreneurs;
(C) lists current research projects related to entrepreneurship and innovation being conducted by professors at institutions of higher education;
(D) provides information concerning innovation and entrepreneurial programming available at institutions of higher education, including, but not limited to, engineering, computer science and bioscience;
and (E) connects businesses seeking to buy Connecticut made products for their business inputs;

(3) Publicize such informational Internet web site and any workshops, seminars and conferences facilitated by CTNext;

(4) Advise the Governor, the General Assembly, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, the president of The University of Connecticut and the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education on matters relating to science, engineering and technology that may have an impact on state policies, programs, employers and residents, and on job creation and retention;

(6) Annually develop, update and implement a strategic state-wide innovation and entrepreneurship marketing plan for the promotion of Connecticut as an innovation and entrepreneurship hub.
The executive director shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and finance, revenue and bonding, on or before February 1, 2017, and annually thereafter, concerning the content of such plan;

(7) Establish a program to provide growth grants-in-aid to businesses in this state for the purposes of facilitating the growth of start-up businesses that have transitioned to growth stage businesses.
CTNext shall establish an application process for such grants-in-aid and shall prioritize such grants-in-aid for uses most likely to facilitate the growth of such businesses, including, but not limited to, sales assistance, marketing, strategy, organizational development, technology assistance, bid assistance, beta testing of products for new purchasers and prototype development.
Such grants-in-aid shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars per applicant and shall be conditioned upon a one-third match from the applicant;

(8) Connect entrepreneurs in innovation places designated pursuant to section 8 of this act with existing municipal and state resources to assist such entrepreneurs with regulatory compliance;
and

(9) Adopt a comprehensive program evaluation and measurement process to ensure that CTNext's programs are administered appropriately and efficiently, comply with statutory requirements, are cost effective and are achieving the purposes set forth in section 1 of this act.

Sec.
3.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) The members of the CTNext board of directors shall adopt written procedures, in accordance with the provisions of section 1-121 of the general statutes, for:
(1) Adopting an annual budget and plan of operations, including a requirement of board approval before the budget or plan may take effect;
(2) hiring, dismissing, promoting and compensating employees of CTNext, provided such procedures may be in accordance with those of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated and shall include an affirmative action policy and a requirement of board approval before a position may be created or a vacancy filled;
(3) acquiring personal property and personal services, including a requirement of board approval for any nonbudgeted expenditure in excess ofan amount to be determined by the board;
(4) contracting for financial, legal and other professional services, including a requirement that CTNext solicit proposals at least once every three years for each such service which it uses;
(5) awarding grants and other financial assistance, including eligibility criteria, the application process and the role played by CTNext's staff and board of directors;
(6) the use of surplus funds to the extent authorized under this section or section 2 of this act or other provisions of the general statutes;
and (7) the disclosure of conflicts of interest at board meetings pursuant to section 1 of this act.

Sec.
4.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) For the purposes of this section, "administrator" means Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated in its capacity as administrator of the CTNext Fund established pursuant to this section.

(b) There is established a CTNext Fund, to be held, administered, invested and disbursed by the administrator.
The fund shall contain any moneys required or permitted by law to be deposited in the fund and any moneys received from any public or private contributions, gifts, grants, donations, bequests or devises to the fund.
Any balance remaining in the fund shall be carried forward in the fund for the fiscal year next succeeding.

(c) Any return on investment attributable to the investment of the fund by the administrator shall be deposited and held for the use and benefit of the fund.
Moneys in or received for the fund may be deposited with and invested by any institution as may be designated by the administrator at its sole discretion and paid as the administrator shall direct.
The administrator may make payments from deposit accounts for use in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(d) The CTNext Fund shall not be deemed an account within the General Fund and shall be used exclusively for the purposes provided in this section.

(e) The CTNext Fund shall be used (1) to provide grants-in-aid to innovation entities, as defined in section 5of this act, pursuant to section 8 of this act, (2) to provide planning grants-in-aid to entities pursuant to section 7of this act, (3) to initiate projects or provide grants-in-aid to projects that network innovation places pursuant to section 8 of this act, (4) for the purposes enumerated in sections 1 and 2 of this act, (5) for providing higher education entrepreneurship grants-in-aid pursuant to section 2 of this act, (6) to provide growth grants-in-aid pursuant to section 2 of this act, (7) to provide a grant-in-aid for a program evaluation pursuant to section 25 of this act, (8) to provide grants-in-aid to start-up businesses pursuant to section 29 of this act, and (9) for any other purposes expressly provided by law.

(f) All expenditures from the CTNext Fund shall be approved by the CTNext board of directors.
Any such approval shall be specific to an individual expenditure to be made or for budgeted expenditures with such variations as the CTNext board of directors may authorize at the time of such budget approval.

(g)Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall provide any necessary staff, office space, office systems and administrative support for the administration of the CTNext Fund in accordance with this section.
In acting as administrator of the fund, the administrator shall have and may exercise all of the powers of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated set forth in section 32-39 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, provided expenditures from the fund shall be approved by the CTNext board of directors pursuant to subsection (f) of this section.

(h) Beginning January 1, 2017, the administrator shall prepare for each fiscal year a plan of operations and an operating and capital budget for the CTNext Fund.
Not later than ninety days prior to the start of the fiscal year, the administrator shall submit the plan and budget to the CTNext board of directors for its review and approval.

(i) Not later than April 15, 2017, and annually thereafter, the administrator shall provide a report of the activities of the CTNext Fund to the CTNext board of directors for its review and approval.
Upon its approval of such report, the CTNext board of directors shall provide such report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and finance, revenue and bonding.
Such report shall contain available information on the status and progress of the operations and funding of the CTNext Fund and the types, amounts and recipients of grants awarded.

Sec.
5.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) For the purposes of this section and sections 6to 8, inclusive,of this act, the following terms shall have the following meanings unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Anchor institution" means an entity having a significant and stable presence in the community, including, but not limited to, an institution of higher education, hospital, major corporation, research institution, business incubator or business accelerator;

(2) "CTNext board" or "board" means the CTNext board of directors established pursuant to section 1 of this act;

(3) "Designated innovation place" means an area designated as an innovation place pursuant to section 8 of this act;

(6) "Growth stage business" means a business that (A) has been incorporated for ten years or less, (B) has raised private capital, and (C) whose annual gross revenue has increased by twenty per cent for each of the three preceding income years of such business;

(7) "Innovation entity" means an entity whose application for innovation place designation is approved by the CTNext board pursuant to section 8 of this act;

(8) "Master plan" means the plan submitted to the CTNext board pursuant to subsection (c) of section 7 of this act;

(9) "Municipality" means any town, city, consolidated town and city or consolidated town and borough;

(10) "New Haven Line" means the rail passenger service operated between New Haven and intermediate points and Grand Central Station, including the Danbury, Waterbury and New Canaan branch lines;

(11) "Public transit" means the New Haven Line, Shore Line East, the New Haven Hartford Springfield rail line and the New Britain to Hartford busway and any planned expansion of such busway;
and

(12) "Shore Line East" means the rail service operating between New Haven and New London.

Sec.
6.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) There is established an innovation place program within CTNext.
The purpose of such program is to (1) foster innovation and entrepreneurship by facilitating the designation and establishment of innovation places consisting of one or more compact geographic areas within the same municipality having entrepreneurial and innovation potential where (A) existing anchor institutions, institutions, companies and recreational spaces are in close proximity to start-up and growth stage businesses, (B) public transit is accessible, (C) a significant portion of the underlying zoning allows for mixed-use development, including, but not limited to, housing, office and retail, and (D) foot traffic is facilitated;
(2) identify, designate and fund the initial costs associated with development of an innovation place;
(3) encourage collaboration among institutions of higher education, medical institutions, hospitals, existing companies, start-up and growth stage businesses, researchers and investors;
(4) encourage the leveraging of private investment in designated innovation places;
and (5) connect entrepreneurs who are facing similar opportunities and challenges with other entrepreneurs and with private and public resources.

Sec.
7.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) On or before July 1, 2016, Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall post on its Internet web site an application form, prescribed by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, for planning grants-in-aid awarded pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.
Such application form shall state that applications for planning grants-in-aid shall be submitted to the CTNext board.

(b) Any entity may submit an application for a planning grant-in-aid to the CTNext board.
Applications for planning grants-in-aid shall be submitted on or before October 1, 2016.
The CTNext board may extend the deadline for a planning grant-in-aid for up to sixty days.
The CTNext board may award planning grants-in-aid to applicants in an amount up to fifty thousand dollars per applicant.
Such planning grants-in-aid shall be proportionate to the anticipated grant-in-aid described in section 8 of this act.
The total of all planning grants-in-aid awarded to applicants in the aggregate shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars.
Planning grants-in-aid shall be awarded on or before November 15, 2016.
A planning grant-in-aid awarded pursuant to this section shall be used by an entity for the preparation of an application for innovation place designation.

(c) Any entity may submit an application for innovation place designation to the CTNext board.
Such application shall be submitted on or before April 1, 2017.
Such applications shall be submitted on a form prescribed by the board and shall contain sufficient information to establish that the proposed innovation place is suitable for the purposes set forth in section 6 of this act.

(1) Such application shall include:
(A) Information concerning the proposed geographical boundaries of the proposed innovation place, including, but not limited to, a map indicating the boundaries of the geographic areas within the municipality that make up the proposed innovation place;
(B) information concerning at least two anchor institutions located within the geographical boundaries of the proposed innovation place and how such anchor institutions have agreed to participate in the development of and activities within the proposed innovation place;
(C) a summary of existing and proposed transportation-related infrastructure within and around the geographical areas within the municipality that make up the proposed innovation place;
(D) a summary of existing and proposed businesses, recreational facilities, public parks and any other public or private gathering spaces located within the geographical areas within the municipality that make up the proposed innovation place;
(E) information concerning the walkability of the geographical areas within the municipality that make up the proposed innovation place;
(F) a master plan for the development of the proposed innovation place, including a plan for connecting the geographic areas within the municipality that make up the proposed innovation place to public transit via rail or bus, a plan for leveraging private investment and a proposed budget and timeline for use of any moneys granted by the CTNext board.
Such budget shall indicate priority for the expenditure of grant funds in the event that moneys granted are insufficient to cover the costs of the entire proposed budget;
(G) a list of municipal and state legislative action that may be required for the execution of such master plan;
(H) a letter of support from the chief elected official of the municipality where the innovation place is proposed that shall include a statement that the legislative body of such municipality has, by majority vote, indicated its support for the proposed innovation place and for any municipal legislative action recommended in the master plan, provided a chief elected official may only submit a letter of support for one proposed innovation place located within the municipality;
(I) letters of support from private investors;
(J) information concerning consistency with the state plan of conservation and development adopted pursuant to chapter 297 of the general statutes;
and (K) information concerning the capability of the applicant and other entities partnering with the applicant to implement and administer the master plan and how such partners will be involved in the implementation of such plan.

(2) A master plan may include, but shall not be limited to, (A) plans for:
(i) Attracting and directing support to start-up and growth stage businesses;
(ii) development, in collaboration with private partners, of a business incubator, coworking space, business accelerator or public meeting space;
(iii) events and community building;
(iv) marketing and outreach;
(v) open space improvement;
(vi) housing development;
(vii) improvement of technology infrastructure, including, but not limited to, broadband improvement;
(viii) bicycle paths;
and (ix) attracting anchor institutions, and (B) community letters of support from persons or entities other than the applicant.

(d) The CTNext board shall screen all applications submitted to it pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and shall select therefrom a limited number of finalist applicants.
The CTNext board shall hold at least one public hearing on each application submitted by a finalist applicant.
Such hearing shall be held in the municipality where the proposed innovation place is to be located and shall consist of a presentation by the applicant finalist on its proposal and a public comment period.
The CTNext board shall conduct a site walk of the geographic areas within the municipality that make up the proposed innovation place submitted by an applicant finalist.
The chairperson of the CTNext board shall give appropriate notice of such hearing.
The notice shall (1) state the time and place of the hearing to be held not fewer than ten days after the date of such notice, and (2) be posted in a conspicuous place in or near the office of the town clerk for the municipality where the proposed innovation place is to be located and posted on the Internet web site of such municipality, if available.
Applicants may submit revised applications to the CTNext board based on public comments received at such hearing.

Sec.
8.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) Through the innovation place program established pursuant to section 6 of this act, the CTNext board shall:

(1) Review and evaluate applications for innovation place designation submitted by entities pursuant to section 7 of this act;

(2) (A) Approve applications for innovation place designation and designate such approved applications as an innovation place.
Such approval may include modifications to an application, agreed to by the applicant, as a condition for approval thereof.
If no such application meets the purposes set forth in section 6 of this act or the criteria set forth in this subdivision, the board shall not approve any application for innovation place designation.
Preference shall be given to applicants having (i) diverse partners, including, but not limited to, anchor institutions, (ii) partnerships with entities located within the proposed innovation place, and (iii) substantial private funding for expenses associated with the development of the proposed innovation place in relation to the amount of grant moneys requested.

(B) Award grants-in-aid to innovation entities, within available funds, for the allowable grant expenses set forth in an agreement described in this subparagraph.
Prior to awarding any such grant-in-aid, the CTNext board shall (i) enter into an agreement with any such innovation entity concerning allowable grant expenses and the submission of an annual financial audit of grant expenditures to the CTNext board until all grant moneys have been expended by the innovation entity, provided any such audit shall be prepared by an independent auditor;
(ii) confirm that a significant portion of the underlying zoning of the proposed innovation place allows for mixed-use development, including, but not limited to, housing, office and retail;
and (iii) confirm that no portion of a grant-in-aid awarded to an innovation entity be given to an entity that is not part of the master plan for the innovation place.
If the CTNext board finds that any such grant-in-aid awarded is being used for purposes that are not in conformity with the expenses allowed pursuant to this section, the CTNext board may require repayment of such grant-in-aid.

(C) No application may be designated as an innovation place by the CTNext board unless such application (i) is consistent with the purposes set forth in section 6of this act, (ii) is for a proposed innovation place where a significant portion of such proposed innovation place is located in an existing or proposed mixed-use zoning district, (iii) was prepared in collaboration with the local chamber of commerce or other industry association and the municipal economic development department, or similar municipal authority, of the municipality in which the proposed innovation place is located, and (iv) is approved by majority vote of the legislative body of the municipality in which the proposed innovation place is to be located.

(D) In determining whether to approve an application for innovation place designation, the CTNext board shall consider, but such consideration shall not be limited to:
(i) Whether the entities partnering together to implement and administer the proposed master plan are of the quality to, and have demonstrated the commitment to, implement and administer the master plan in a manner sufficient to achieve the purposes set forth in section 6 of this act;
(ii) whether the geography of the proposed innovation place is sufficiently compact to achieve the purposes set forth in section 6 of this act;
(iii) whether the master plan is sufficient to achieve the purposes set forth in section 6 of this act and whether such plan includes (I) sufficient measures to ensure walkability of the geographic areas within the municipality that make up the proposed innovation place;
(II) sufficient measures to enhance regular interpersonal interactions among residents, workers and visitors of the proposed innovation place;
(III) adequate and accessible public transportation;
and (IV) existing or proposed restaurants, affordable housing options, retail spaces and public spaces, indoor or outdoor, that provide adequate opportunity for interpersonal interaction;
(iv) the extent to which the master plan leverages private investment;
(v) self-sustainability of the innovation place after moneys granted by the CTNext boardare fully expended;
(vi) whether the underlying zoning of the proposed innovation place provides for, or will be amended to provide for, reduced minimum floor area for residential dwelling units;
and (vii) any other criteria the CTNext board determines is relevant for evaluating whether the proposed innovation place, if granted innovation place designation, will achieve the purposes set forth in section 6 of this act.

(E) The CTNext board shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and finance, revenue and bonding on or before September 30, 2017, and on or before July first annually thereafter until September 30, 2020, regarding the grants-in-aid distributed pursuant to this section and concerning the operation and effectiveness of the innovation place program.

(3) Publicize and post on its Internet web site the deadline for applications for innovation place designation pursuant to section 7 of this act.

(b) Through the innovation place program established pursuant to section 6 of this act, the CTNext board may initiate projects or provide grants-in-aid to entities for projects that network innovation places designated as such pursuant to subsection (a) of this section with one another.

Sec.
9.
(Effective from passage) On or before July 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall publicize and post on its Internet web site the deadline for applications for innovation place designation pursuant to section 7 of this act and the language of sections 5 to 8, inclusive, of this act.

Sec.
10.
Section 32-235 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time, to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate one billion four hundred fifteen million three hundred thousand dollars, provided (1) one hundred forty million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2011, and twenty million dollars of said authorization shall be made available for small business development;
(2) two hundred eighty million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2012, and forty million dollars of said authorization shall be made available for the Small Business Express program established pursuant to section 32-7g, as amended by this act, and not more than twenty million dollars of said authorization may be made available for businesses that commit to relocating one hundred or more jobs that are outside of the United States to the state;
and (3) one hundred million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2016.
Any amount of said authorizations that are made available for small business development or businesses that commit to relocating one hundred or more jobs that are outside of the United States to the state, but are not exhausted for such purpose by the first day of the fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal year in which such amount was made available, shall be used for the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section.
For purposes of this subsection, a "small business" is one employing not more than one hundred employees.

(b)The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used by the Department of Economic and Community Development (1) for the purposes of sections 32-220 to 32-234, inclusive, including economic cluster-related programs and activities, and for the Connecticut job training finance demonstration program pursuant to sections 32-23uu and 32-23vv, provided (A) three million dollars shall be used by said department solely for the purposes of section 32-23uu and not more than five million two hundred fifty thousand dollars of the amount stated in said subsection (a) may be used by said department for the purposes of section 31-3u, (B) not less than one million dollars shall be used for an educational technology grant to the deployment center program and the nonprofit business consortium deployment center approved pursuant to section 32-41l, (C) not less than two million dollars shall be used by said department for the establishment of a pilot program to make grants to businesses in designated areas of the state for construction, renovation or improvement of small manufacturing facilities, provided such grants are matched by the business, a municipality or another financing entity.
The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall designate areas of the state where manufacturing is a substantial part of the local economy and shall make grants under such pilot program which are likely to produce a significant economic development benefit for the designated area, (D) five million dollars may be used by said department for the manufacturing competitiveness grants program, (E) one million dollars shall be used by said department for the purpose of a grant to the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, for the purposes of subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 32-7f, (F) fifty million dollars shall be used by said department for the purpose of grants to the United States Department of the Navy, the United States Department of Defense or eligible applicants for projects related to the enhancement of infrastructure for long-term, on-going naval operations at the United States Naval Submarine Base-New London, located in Groton, which will increase the military value of said base.
Such projects shall not be subject to the provisions of sections 4a-60 and 4a-60a, (G) two million dollars shall be used by said department for the purpose of a grant to the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology, Inc.
, for manufacturing initiatives, including aerospace and defense, and (H) four million dollars shall be used by said department for the purpose of a grant to companies adversely impacted by the construction at the Quinnipiac Bridge, where such grant may be used to offset the increase in costs of commercial overland transportation of goods or materials brought to the port of New Haven by ship or vessel, (2) for the purposes of the small business assistance program established pursuant to section 32-9yy, provided fifteen million dollars shall be deposited in the small business assistance account established pursuant to said section 32-9yy, [and] (3) to deposit twenty million dollars in the small business express assistance account established pursuant to section 32-7h, (4) to deposit four million nine hundred thousand dollars per year in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2019, inclusive, and June 30, 2021, and nine million nine hundred thousand dollars in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, in the CTNext Fund established pursuant to section 4 of this act, which shall be used by CTNext to provide grants-in-aid to designated innovation places, as defined in section 5 of this act, planning grants-in-aid pursuant to section 7 of this act, and grants-in-aid for projects that network innovation places pursuant to subsection (b) of section 8 of this act, provided not more than three million dollars be used for grants-in-aid for such projects, (5) to deposit two million dollars per year in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2019, to June 30, 2021, inclusive, in the CTNext Fund established pursuant to section 4 of this act, which shall be used by CTNext for the purpose of providing higher education entrepreneurship grants-in-aid pursuant to section 2 of this act, (6) two million dollars per year in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2021, inclusive, which shall be used by the Department of Economic and Community Development for the purpose of funding the costs of the Technology Talent Advisory Committee established pursuant to section 23 of this act, (7) five hundred fifty thousand dollars per year, in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2021, inclusive, which shall be used by the Department of Economic and Community Development to provide (A) a grant-in-aid to the Connecticut Supplier Connection in an amount equal to two hundred fifty thousand dollars in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2021, inclusive, and (B) a grant-in-aid to the Connecticut Procurement Technical Assistance Program in an amount equal to three hundred thousand dollars in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2021, inclusive, (8) to deposit four hundred fifty thousand dollars per year, in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2021, inclusive, in the CTNext fund established pursuant to section 4 of this act, which shall be used by CTNext to provide four hundred fifty thousand dollars in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2021, inclusive, for the purposes of growth grants-in-aid pursuant to section 2 of this act.

(c)All provisions of section 3-20, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said section 3-20 and from time to time renewed.
Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds.
None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization, which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require.
Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

Sec.
11.
Section 32-39 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective September 1, 2016):

The purposes of the corporation shall be to stimulate and encourage the research and development of new technologies, businesses and products, to encourage the creation and transfer of new technologies, to assist existing businesses in adopting current and innovative technological processes, to stimulate and provide services to industry that will advance the adoption and utilization of technology, to achieve improvements in the quality of products and services, to stimulate and encourage the development and operation of new and existing science parks and incubator facilities, and to promote science, engineering, mathematics and other disciplines that are essential to the development and application of technology within Connecticut by the infusion of financial aid for research, invention and innovation in situations in which such financial aid would not otherwise be reasonably available from commercial or other sources, and for these purposes the corporation shall have the following powers:

(1)To have perpetual succession as a body corporate and to adopt bylaws, policies and procedures for the regulation of its affairs and conduct of its businesses as provided in section 32-36;

(2)To enter into venture agreements with persons, upon such terms and on such conditions as are consistent with the purposes of this chapter, for the advancement of financial aid to such persons for the research, development and application of specific technologies, products, procedures, services and techniques, to be developed and produced in this state, and to condition such agreements upon contractual assurances that the benefits of increasing or maintaining employment and tax revenues shall remain in this state and shall accrue to it;

(3)To solicit, receive and accept aid, grants or contributions from any source of money, property or labor or other things of value, to be held, used and applied to carry out the purposes of this chapter, subject to the conditions upon which such grants and contributions may be made, including but not limited to, gifts or grants from any department or agency of the United States or the state;

(4)To invest in, acquire, lease, purchase, own, manage, hold and dispose of real property and lease, convey or deal in or enter into agreements with respect to such property on any terms necessary or incidental to the carrying out of these purposes;
provided, however, [that](A) all such acquisitions of real property for the corporation's own use with amounts appropriated by the state to the corporation or with the proceeds of bonds supported by the full faith and credit of the state shall be subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the provisions of section 4b-23, and (B) upon termination of a lease executed on or before, May 1, 2016, for its main office, the corporation shall consider relocating such main office to a designated innovation place, as defined in section 5 of this act, and establishing a satellite office in one or more designated innovation place;

(5)To borrow money or to guarantee a return to the investors in or lenders to any capital initiative, to the extent permitted under this chapter;

(6)To hold patents, copyrights, trademarks, marketing rights, licenses, or any other evidences of protection or exclusivity as to any products as defined herein, issued under the laws of the United States or any state or any nation;

(7)To employ such assistants, agents and other employees as may be necessary or desirable, which employees shall be exempt from the classified service and shall not be employees, as defined in subsection (b) of section 5-270;
establish all necessary or appropriate personnel practices and policies, including those relating to hiring, promotion, compensation, retirement and collective bargaining, which need not be in accordance with chapter 68, and the corporation shall not be an employer, as defined in subsection (a) of section 5-270;
and engage consultants, attorneys and appraisers as may be necessary or desirable to carry out its purposes in accordance with this chapter;

(8)To make and enter into all contracts and agreements necessary or incidental to the performance of its duties and the execution of its powers under this chapter;

(9)To sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, adopt a seal and alter the same at pleasure;

(10)With the approval of the State Treasurer, to invest any funds not needed for immediate use or disbursement, including any funds held in reserve, in obligations issued or guaranteed by the United States of America or the state of Connecticut and in other obligations which are legal investments for retirement funds in this state;

(11)To procure insurance against any loss in connection with its property and other assets in such amounts and from such insurers as it deems desirable;

(12)To the extent permitted under its contract with other persons, to consent to any termination, modification, forgiveness or other change of any term of any contractual right, payment, royalty, contract or agreement of any kind to which the corporation is a party;

(13)To do anything necessary and convenient to render the bonds to be issued under section 32-41 more marketable;

(14)To acquire, lease, purchase, own, manage, hold and dispose of personal property, and lease, convey or deal in or enter into agreements with respect to such property on any terms necessary or incidental to the carrying out of these purposes;

(15)In connection with any application for assistance under this chapter, or commitments therefor, to make and collect such fees as the corporation shall determine to be reasonable;

(16)To enter into venture agreements with persons, upon such terms and conditions as are consistent with the purposes of this chapter to provide financial aid to such persons for the marketing of new and innovative services based on the use of a specific technology, product, device, technique, service or process;

(17)To enter into limited partnerships or other contractual arrangements with private and public sector entities as the corporation deems necessary to provide financial aid which shall be used to make investments of seed venture capital in companies based in or relocating to the state in a manner which shall foster additional capital investment, the establishment of new businesses, the creation of new jobs and additional commercially-oriented research and development activity.
The repayment of such financial aid shall be structured in such manner as the corporation deems will best encourage private sector participation in such limited partnerships or other arrangements.
The board of directors, chief executive officer, officers and staff of the corporation may serve as members of any advisory or other board which may be established to carry out the purposes of this subdivision;

(18)To account for and audit funds of the corporation and funds of any recipients of financial aid from the corporation;

(19)To advise the Governor, the General Assembly, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development and the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education on matters relating to science, engineering and technology which may have an impact on state policies, programs, employers and residents, and on job creation and retention;

(20)To promote technology-based development in the state;

(21)To encourage and promote the establishment of and, within available resources, to provide financial aid to advanced technology centers;

(22) To maintain an inventory of data and information concerning state and federal programs which are related to the purposes of this chapter and to serve as a clearinghouse and referral service for such data and information, provided such power shall be transferred to CTNext on September 1, 2016;

(23)To conduct and encourage research and studies relating to technological development;

(24)To provide technical or other assistance and, within available resources, to provide financial aid to the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, Incorporated, in order to further the purposes of this chapter;

(25) To recommend a science and technology agenda for the state that will promote the formation of public and private partnerships for the purpose of stimulating research, new business formation and growth and job creation;

(26) To encourage and provide technical assistance and, within available resources, to provide financial aid to existing manufacturers and other businesses in the process of adopting innovative technology and new state-of-the-art processes and techniques;

(27)To recommend state goals for technological development and to establish policies and strategies for developing and assisting technology-based companies and for attracting such companies to the state;

(28)To promote and encourage and, within available resources, to provide financial aid for the establishment, maintenance and operation of incubator facilities, provided such power shall be transferred to CTNext on September 1, 2016;

(29)To promote and encourage the coordination of public and private resources and activities within the state in order to assist technology-based entrepreneurs and business enterprises;

(30)To provide services to industry that will stimulate and advance the adoption and utilization of technology and achieve improvements in the quality of products and services;

(31)To promote science, engineering, mathematics and other disciplines that are essential to the development and application of technology;

(32)To coordinate its efforts with existing business outreach centers, as described in section 32-9qq;

(33)To do all acts and things necessary and convenient to carry out the purposes of this chapter;

(34)To accept from the department:
(A) Financial assistance, (B) revenues or the right to receive revenues with respect to any program under the supervision of the department, and (C) loan assets or equity interests in connection with any program under the supervision of the department;
to make advances to and reimburse the department for any expenses incurred or to be incurred by it in the delivery of such assistance, revenues, rights, assets, or interests;
to enter into agreements for the delivery of services by the corporation, in consultation with the department and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, to third parties, which agreements may include provisions for payment by the department to the corporation for the delivery of such services;
and to enter into agreements with the department or with the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority for the sharing of assistants, agents and other consultants, professionals and employees, and facilities and other real and personal property used in the conduct of the corporation's affairs;

(35) To transfer to the department:
(A) Financial assistance, (B) revenues or the right to receive revenues with respect to any program under the supervision of the corporation, and (C) loan assets or equity interests in connection with any program under the supervision of the corporation, provided the transfer of such financial assistance, revenues, rights, assets or interests is determined by the corporation to be practicable, within the constraints and not inconsistent with the fiduciary obligations of the corporation imposed upon or established upon the corporation by any provision of the general statutes, the corporation's bond resolutions or any other agreement or contract of the corporation and to have no adverse effect on the tax-exempt status of any bonds of the state;

(36)With respect to any capital initiative, to create, with one or more persons, one or more affiliates and to provide, directly or indirectly, for the contribution of capital to any such affiliate, each such affiliate being expressly authorized to exercise on such affiliate's own behalf all powers which the corporation may exercise under this section, in addition to such other powers provided to it by law;

(39)To provide financial aid to persons developing or constructing the basic buildings, facilities or installations needed for the functioning of the media and motion picture industry in this state;

(40)To coordinate the development and implementation of strategies regarding technology-based talent and innovation among state and quasi-public agencies, including the creation and administration of the Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research Office to act as a centralized clearinghouse and provide technical assistance to applicants in developing small business innovation research programs in conformity with the federal program established pursuant to the Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, P.
L.
102-564, as amended, and other proposals,[.
]provided such power shall be transferred to CTNext on September 1, 2016;

(41) To invest in private equity investment funds, or funds of funds, and enter into related agreements of limited partnership or other contractual arrangements with such investment funds. Any such investment fund may be organized and managed, and may invest in businesses, located within or outside the state, provided the investment objectives and criteria for such fund shall be consistent with policies adopted by the corporation's board of directors, including, but not limited to, a requirement that not less than the amount invested by the corporation in such investment fund, net of reasonable management fees and closing costs, shall be invested in a manner that supports (A) the growth of business operations of companies in the technology, bioscience or precision manufacturing sectors in the state, or (B) the relocation of companies in such sectors to the state;

(42) To invest up to five million dollars in a venture capital funding round of an out-of-state business that has raised private capital, has been incorporated for ten years or less and whose annual gross revenue has increased by twenty per cent for each of the three previous income years of such business, provided (A) any such investment is contingent upon the business relocating its operations to the state, (B) no investment shall exceed fifty per cent of the total amount raised by the business in such venture capital funding round, and (C) the total amount of investments pursuant to this section shall not exceed ten million dollars;

(43) To establish a program to solicit private investment from state residents that Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated will invest in a private investment fund or funds of funds pursuant to subdivision (41) of this section or subsections (e) and (g) of section 22 of this act on behalf of such residents, provided any such private investment shall be invested by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated in venture capital firms having offices located in the state; and

(44) To create financial incentives to induce (A) out-of-state businesses that have raised private capital, have been incorporated for ten years or less and whose annual gross revenue has increased by twenty per cent for each of the three previous income years of such business, to relocate to Connecticut, provided the corporation has made an equity investment in such business and (B) out-of-state venture capital firms to relocate to Connecticut, provided the corporation is investing funds in such firm as a limited partner.

Sec.
12.
Subsection (h) of section 32-35 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective September 1, 2016):

(h)The corporation shall provide funding for the operation of the Connecticut Small Business Innovation Research Office in accordance with subdivision [(41) of section 32-39](18) of subsection (a) of section 2 of this act.

Sec.
13.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any venture agreement, investment agreement or other similar agreement entered into by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated on or after the effective date of this section shall involve one or more private partners, except any such agreement involving the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund or a winner of Venture Clash, the annual business competition conducted by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated.

Sec.
14.
(Effective from passage) On or before December 1, 2016, Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall submit a performance audit of such corporation to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and finance, revenue and bonding in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Such audit shall be conducted by an independent accounting or management consulting firm which shall include, but not be limited to, recommendations as to:
(1) Whether the staffing levels of such corporation are appropriate;
(2) an analysis of performance based on performance measures selected by such independent accounting or management consulting firm;
and (3) an analysis of compensation policies at private investment firms and recommendations for compensation amounts for employees of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated that will maximize performance by said employees in a manner that allows Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated to achieve its purposes.
Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall provide a report summarizing its response to such audit on or before January 15, 2017.
Such report shall be submitted to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and finance, revenue and bonding in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.

Sec.
15.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may forgive a portion of any state assistance received by a technology based business and owed to the state if such business participates in a mentorship network established by CTNext.
The commissioner shall develop a formula to calculate such state assistance forgiveness based on the hours of mentorship provided by any such business.

Sec.
16.
Section 52 of public act 11-1 of the October special session is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) For the purposes described in subsection (b) of this section, the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and in principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate one hundred twenty-five million dollars, provided twenty-five million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2012, twenty-five million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2013, twenty-five million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2014, and twenty-five million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2015.

(b) The proceeds of the sale of said bonds, to the extent of the amount stated in subsection (a) of this section, shall be used [by]

(1) By Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated for the purpose of recapitalizing the programs established in chapter 581 of the general statutes, provided up to fifteen million dollars shall be made available for the preseed financing program established pursuant to section 32-41x of the general statutes.

(2) By CTNext for the purposes enumerated in sections 1, 2 and 29 of this act, provided five million dollars shall be deposited per year in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, to June 30, 2021, inclusive, in the CTNext Fund established pursuant to section 4 of this act, for such purposes.

(3) By CTNext to provide a grant-in-aid to a policy institute, institution of higher education or research organization to conduct the assessments, audits and reports required pursuant to section 25 of this act, provided up to five hundred thousand dollars in the aggregate shall be deposited in the CTNext Fund for such purposes.

(4) By Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated for investments in a venture capital funding round pursuant to subdivision (42) of section 32-39, as amended by this act, provided ten million dollars shall be made available for such purposes.

(5) By CTNext to provide higher education entrepreneurship grants-in-aid pursuant to section 2 of this act, provided two million dollars shall be deposited in the CTNext Fund established pursuant to section 4 of this act in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, and June 30, 2018.

(c) All provisions of section 3-20 of the general statutes, or the exercise of any right or power granted thereby, which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section are hereby adopted and shall apply to all bonds authorized by the State Bond Commission pursuant to this section, and temporary notes in anticipation of the money to be derived from the sale of any such bonds so authorized may be issued in accordance with said section 3-20 and from time to time renewed.
Such bonds shall mature at such time or times not exceeding twenty years from their respective dates as may be provided in or pursuant to the resolution or resolutions of the State Bond Commission authorizing such bonds.
None of said bonds shall be authorized except upon a finding by the State Bond Commission that there has been filed with it a request for such authorization which is signed by or on behalf of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and states such terms and conditions as said commission, in its discretion, may require.
Said bonds issued pursuant to this section shall be general obligations of the state and the full faith and credit of the state of Connecticut are pledged for the payment of the principal of and interest on said bonds as the same become due, and accordingly and as part of the contract of the state with the holders of said bonds, appropriation of all amounts necessary for punctual payment of such principal and interest is hereby made, and the State Treasurer shall pay such principal and interest as the same become due.

Sec.
17.
Subsection (c) of section 32-7g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2016):

(c)The commissioner shall establish a streamlined application process for the Small Business Express program.
The small business applicant may receive assistance pursuant to said program not later than thirty days after submitting a completed application to the department.
Any small business meeting the eligibility criteria in subsection (a) of this section may apply to said program.
The commissioner shall give priority for available funding to small businesses creating jobs and may give priority for available funding to (1) economic base industries, as defined in subsection (d) of section 32-222, including, but not limited to, those in the fields of precision manufacturing, business services, green and sustainable technology, bioscience and information technology, [and](2) businesses attempting to export their products or services to foreign markets, and (3) businesses located in designated innovation places, as defined in section 5 of this act.

Sec.
18.
Section 32-4l of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) (1) The Department of Economic and Community Development shall establish a first five plus program to encourage business expansion and job creation.
As part of said program, the department may provide substantial financial assistance to up to [fifteen]twenty eligible business development projects by June 30, [2016]2019.

(2)A business development project eligible for financial assistance under the first five plus program shall commit, in the manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, to (A) create not less than two hundred new jobs within twenty-four months from the date such application is approved;
or (B) invest not less than twenty-five million dollars and create not less than two hundred new jobs not later than five years after the date such application is approved.

(3)The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may give preference to a business development project that (A) involves the relocation of an out-of-state or international manufacturer or corporate headquarters, (B) involves the relocation of jobs [that are outside the United States]involved in research, invention or innovation to the state, [or] (C) is a redevelopment project [if]that the commissioner believes [such redevelopment project] will create jobs sooner than the schedule set forth in subdivision (2) of this subsection, (D) is located in a distressed municipality, as defined in section 32-9p, or (E) involves a targeted industry referenced in the economic development strategic plan for the state prepared pursuant to section 32-1o.

(4)The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may, in awarding financial assistance to an eligible business development project, work with Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, to secure financing for such project.

(5)The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall certify to the Governor for his or her approval that a business development project applicant has satisfied all the eligibility criteria in the program.
Financial assistance awarded through the first five plus program shall be with the written consent of the Governor.

(b)Financial assistance for the first five plus program for eligible business development projects shall be exempt from the provisions of subsection (c) of section 32-223, section 32-462, subsection (q) of section 32-9t and, at the commissioner's discretion, section 12-211a for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2012, June 30, 2013, June 30, 2014, June 30, 2015, June 30, 2016, [and] June 30, 2017, June 30, 2018, June 30, 2019, and June 30, 2020.

(c)The commissioner may take such action as the commissioner deems necessary or appropriate to enforce such commitment, including, but not limited to, establishing terms and conditions for the repayment of any financial assistance awarded pursuant to the provisions of this section.

(d)On or before September 1, 2013, January 1, 2014, September 1, 2014, January 1, 2015, September 1, 2015, January 1, 2016, [and] September 1, 2016, January 1, 2017, September 1, 2017, January 1, 2018, September 1, 2018, January 1, 2019, and September 1, 2019, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall report in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and finance, revenue and bonding on the projects funded through the first five plus program, the number of jobs created and the impact on the economy of this state.

Sec.
19.
Section 10a-125a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

The University of Connecticut shall establish a Center for Entrepreneurship.
The purpose of the center shall be to train the next generation of entrepreneurs in an experiential manner that would assist businesses in the state today.
This center shall (1) develop an entrepreneurial program that trains faculty and student inventors in commercialization and business issues and that generates business opportunities;
(2) expand the accelerator program of the school of business to provide innovation services to technology-based companies using a proven model of faculty and students working with companies on real time solutions to the company's business problems;
and (3) establish an intellectual property law clinic, in conjunction with the law school.
[The accelerator program and the law clinic shall be located with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology in the Hartford area to leverage resources.
]

Sec.
20.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) There is established the Connecticut 500 Project to be administered by the Commission on Economic Competitiveness, established pursuant to section 2-124 of the general statutes.
Under said project, the commission, in collaboration with the Connecticut 500 Project governing board described in subsection (b) of this section, shall convene and work closely with Connecticut businesses, including large corporations and small businesses, and business, government, and community leaders, organizations, and institutions with the goal of creating a net increase of five hundred thousand new private sector jobs in the state over the next twenty-five years and to set and achieve Connecticut's cornerstone economic development goals for the next generation.

(b) On or before January 1, 2017, the Commission on Economic Competitiveness shall solicit bids from outside consultants with expertise in economic development to develop the Connecticut 500 Project.
Said project shall include a permanent Connecticut 500 Project governing board that includes senior business leaders, chief executive officers of public companies with operations in Connecticut, and state and municipal elected officials, and other business, government and community leaders.
In order to achieve the goals described in this section within twenty-five years, the governing board shall propose legislation, leverage public and private investment in the state and in the Connecticut 500 Project, solicit funds, or if public funding is available, to solicit matching funds, from the private sector to further the goals described in this section, evaluate Connecticut's economic development policies, and take other actions the board deems necessary to achieve such goals.
Such goals shall include, but need not be limited to:

(1) A net increase of five hundred thousand new private sector jobs in Connecticut;

(2) An increase of five hundred thousand new residents to Connecticut's population;

(3) Five hundred new start-ups based on in-state developed intellectual property;

(4) An increase of five hundred students in the number of annual graduates from each state college and university;

(5) National top five status in the following areas:
(A) Economic growth, (B) public education, (C) quality of life, and (D) private sector employee salary;
and

(6) Maintain Connecticut's position in the top five of the following areas:
(A) Productivity, (B) higher education, and (C) income per capita.

(c) The commission may rename said project and refine and reset the goals described in this section.

Sec.
21.
Subsection (b) of section 2-124 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective from passage):

(b)The commission shall consist of the following members:

(1)Three appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be an executive at a publicly traded corporation;

(2)Three appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be an attorney;

(3)One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a member of an employee advocacy group;

(4)One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be an economist;

(5)One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a major corporation that has its headquarters in the state;

(6)One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be the owner of a small business based in the state;

(7)The Commissioner of Revenue Services, or the commissioner's designee;

(8)The Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, or the commissioner's designee;
[and]

(9)A representative of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association, who shall be appointed by the president of said association;

(10) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding or the chairpersons' designees;

(11) The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce or the chairpersons' designees;

(12) One appointed by the Governor; and

(13) The chairperson of CTNext, or the chairperson's designee.

Sec.
22.
Section 32-41cc of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is established a Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund, to be held, administered, invested and disbursed by the administrator pursuant to this section.
The fund shall contain any moneys required or permitted by law to be deposited in the fund and any moneys received from any public or private contributions, gifts, grants, donations, bequests or devises to the fund.
Repayment of principal and interest on loans issued from the fund shall be credited to the fund and shall become part of the assets of the fund.
Any balance remaining in the fund at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the fund for the fiscal year next succeeding.

(b)Any return on investment received by the administrator as a result of financial assistance provided from the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund to eligible recipients, or attributable to the investment of the fund by the administrator, shall be deposited and held for the use and benefit of the fund.
Moneys in or received for the fund may be deposited with and invested by any institution as may be designated by the administrator at its sole discretion and paid as the administrator shall direct.
The administrator may make payments from such deposit accounts for use in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(c)The Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund shall not be deemed an account within the General Fund and shall be used exclusively for the purposes provided in this section.

(d)The Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund shall be used (1) to provide financial assistance to eligible recipients as may be approved by the advisory committee pursuant to subsection (e) of this section, (2) for the repayment of state bonds in such amounts as may be required by the State Bond Commission, and (3) to pay or reimburse the administrator for administrative costs pursuant to subsection (j) of this section.
Such financial assistance shall be awarded to further the development of bioscience, biomedical engineering, health information management, medical care, medical devices, medical diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, personalized medicine and other related disciplines that are likely to lead to an improvement in or development of services, therapeutics, diagnostics or devices that are commercializable and designed to advance the coordination, quality or efficiency of health care and lower health care costs, and that promise, directly or indirectly, to lead to job growth in the state in these or related fields.

(e)All expenditures from the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund, except for administrative costs reimbursed to the administrator pursuant to subsection (j) of this section and amounts required for the repayment of state bonds in such amounts as may be required by the State Bond Commission, shall be approved by the advisory committee.
Any such approval shall be (1) specific to an individual expenditure to be made, (2) for budgeted expenditures with such variations as the advisory committee may authorize at the time of such budget approval, or (3) for a financial assistance program to be administered by staff of the administrator, subject to limits, eligibility requirements and other conditions established by the advisory committee at the time of such program approval.
The advisory committee may provide financial assistance directly to eligible recipients or indirectly to eligible recipients by investment in private equity investment funds, including investment funds organized, managed and investing in businesses within or outside the state, as described in subsection (g) of this section.

(f)Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall provide any necessary staff, office space, office systems and administrative support for the operation of the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund in accordance with this section.
In acting as administrator of the fund, the administrator shall have and may exercise all of the powers of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated set forth in section 32-39, provided expenditures from the fund shall be approved by the advisory committee pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.

(g)The advisory committee shall establish an application and approval process with guidelines and terms for financial assistance awarded from the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund to eligible recipients.
Such guidelines and terms shall include (1) a requirement that any applicant for financial assistance shall be operating in the state, or proposing to relocate operations to the state, in whole or in part, as a condition of such financial assistance, (2) limitations on the total amount of financial assistance that may be awarded in the form of loans and grants, (3) eligibility requirements for loans and grants designed to encourage and support collaborative ventures among eligible recipients, (4) peer review requirements, (5) a process for preliminary review of applications for strength and eligibility by the administrator before such applications are presented to the advisory committee for consideration, (6) return on investment objectives, and (7) such other guidelines and terms as the advisory committee determines to be necessary and appropriate in furtherance of the objectives of this section.
The advisory committee shall adopt guidelines for any financial assistance provided indirectly to eligible recipients by investment into private equity investment funds, including, but not limited to, a requirement that any private equity investment fund that receives an investment from the advisory committee invest not less than the amount of such investment by the advisory committee, net of reasonable management fees and closing costs, in eligible recipients in the state.

(h)Financial assistance awarded from the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund to eligible recipients shall be used for costs related to facilities, necessary furniture, fixtures and equipment, materials and supplies, peer review, proof of concept or relevance, compensation, and such other costs that the advisory committee determines to be eligible for financial assistance within the purposes of this section.

(i)Beginning January 1, 2014, the administrator shall prepare for each fiscal year a plan of operations and an operating and capital budget for the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund.
Not later than ninety days prior to the start of the fiscal year, the administrator shall submit the plan and budget to the advisory committee for its review and approval.

(j)Administrative costs shall be paid or reimbursed to the administrator from the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund, provided the total of such administrative costs in any fiscal year shall not exceed five per cent of the total amount of the allotted funding for such fiscal year as determined in the operating budget prepared pursuant to subsection (i) of this section.
Nothing in section 32-41aa, 32-41bb or this section shall require the administrator to risk or expend the funds of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated in connection with the administration of the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund.

(k)Not later than April 15, 2014, and annually thereafter, the administrator shall provide a report of the activities of the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund to the advisory committee for its review and approval.
Upon its approval, the advisory committee shall provide such report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding, appropriations, commerce, public health and higher education.
Such report shall contain available information on the status and progress of the operations and funding of the Connecticut Bioscience Innovation Fund and the types, amounts and recipients of financial assistance awarded and any returns on investment.

Sec.
23.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) There shall be a Technology Talent Advisory Committee within the Department of Economic and Community Development.
Such committee shall consist of members appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, including, but not limited to, representatives of The University of Connecticut, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, independent institutions of higher education and private industry.
Such members shall be subject to term limits prescribed by the commissioner.
All initial appointments to the committee pursuant to this subsection shall be made not later than September 30, 2016.
Each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed.

(b) The commissioner shall call the first meeting of the advisory committee not later than October 15, 2016.
The advisory committee shall meet not less than quarterly thereafter and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary.
The Technology Talent Advisory Committee shall designate the chairperson of the committee from among its members.

(c) No member of the advisory committee shall receive compensation for such member's service, except that each member shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred during the performance of such member's official duties.

(d) A majority of members of the advisory committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the advisory committee.
The advisory committee may act by a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance, for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the advisory committee, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(e)Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, it shall not constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner or officer of any person, firm or corporation, or any individual having a financial interest in a person, firm or corporation, to serve as a member of the advisory committee, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer or individual complies with all applicable provisions of chapter 10 of the general statutes.
All members of the advisory committee shall be deemed public officials and shall adhere to the code of ethics for public officials set forth in chapter 10 of the general statutes, except that no member shall be required to file a statement of financial interest as described in section 1-83 of the general statutes.

(f) The Technology Talent Advisory Committee shall, in the following order of priority, (1) calculate the number of software developers and other persons (A) employed in technology based fields where there is a shortage of qualified employees in this state for businesses to hire, including, but not limited to, data mining, data analysis and cybersecurity, and (B) employed by businesses located in Connecticut as of December 31, 2016;
(2) develop pilot programs to recruit software developers to Connecticut and train residents of the state in software development and such other technology fields, with the goal of increasing the number of software developers and persons employed in such other technology fields residing in Connecticut and employed by businesses in Connecticut by at least double the number calculated pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection by January 1, 2026;
and (3) identify other technology industries where there is a shortage of qualified employees in this state for growth stage businesses to hire.

(g) The Technology Talent Advisory Committee may develop pilot programs for (1) marketing and publicity campaigns designed to recruit technology talent to the state;
(2) student loan deferral or forgiveness for students who start businesses in the state;
and (3) training, apprenticeship and gap-year initiatives.

(h) The Technology Talent Advisory Committee shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, and present such report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce, education, higher education and finance, revenue and bonding on or before January 1, 2017, concerning the (1) pilot programs developed pursuant to subsections (f) and (g) of this section, (2) number of software developers and persons employed in technology-based fields described in subsection (f) of this section targeted for recruitment pursuant to subsection (f) of this section, and (3) timeline and measures for reaching the recruitment target.

Sec.
24.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2016) (a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 32-70 of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development may establish a knowledge center enterprise zone surrounding any institution of higher learning in the state upon receipt from such institution of a proposal recommending the establishment of such a zone, provided:
(1) The commissioner determines that the economic development benefits of establishing such a knowledge center enterprise zone outweigh the anticipated costs to the state and the affected municipalities;
(2) such proposal complies with the state plan of conservation and development adopted pursuant to chapter 297 of the general statutes;
and (3) such knowledge center enterprise zone is located in a distressed municipality, as defined in section 32-9p of the general statutes.
The commissioner may establish not more than ten knowledge center enterprise zones.

(b)Any proposal submitted by an institution of higher learning pursuant to subsection (a) of this section shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) The geographic scope of the proposed knowledge center enterprise zone, including designation of all census blocks that such institution proposes incorporating into such zone, provided no zone shall extend beyond a two-mile radius of such institution;
(2)the nature of business and industry that will be developed and how such business and industry align with the mission of such institution;
(3) how such business and industry will collaborate with such institution to create jobs and the anticipated number of jobs to be created;
(4) such institution's experience with business collaboration or plan for such collaboration;
(5) any other economic and community developments anticipated from the establishment of such zone;
and (6) the anticipated lost revenue to the state and municipalities as a result of establishing such zone.

(c)The commissioner may modify the geographic scope of any proposed knowledge center enterprise zone to improve the balance between the anticipated economic benefit and the cost to the state and affected municipalities.

(d)Businesses located within a knowledge center enterprise zone shall be entitled to the same benefits, subject to the same conditions, under the general statutes for which businesses located in an enterprise zone qualify.

(e) The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the general statutes to implement the provisions of this section.
Such regulations shall include, but need not be limited to:
(1) A review and approval process for proposals submitted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section;
(2) goals and performance standards for knowledge center enterprise zones;
and (3) procedures to assess the performance of knowledge center enterprise zones.

(f) Not less than ten years from the original date of approval of a knowledge center enterprise zone, the commissioner shall assess the performance of such zone.
The commissioner may remove the designation of such knowledge center enterprise zone if such zone fails to meet the goals and performance standards set forth in the regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (e) of this section.

Sec.
25.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) The CTNext board of directors shall award a one-time grant-in-aid in an amount up to five hundred thousand dollars to a policy institute, institution of higher education or research organization to conduct the assessments, audits and reports required under this section.
Such institute, institution or organization shall have significant experience in evaluating public innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives and assessing state-wide innovation and entrepreneurship performance generally.
The assessments, audits and reports required under this section shall be submitted to the CTNext board of directors and to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and finance, revenue and bonding in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
For the purposes of this section, "CTNext" means the subsidiary established pursuant to section 1 of this act, "CTNext board of directors" means the board established pursuant to section 1 of this act, "grant recipient" means the entity to whom the one-time grant authorized by this section is awarded, and "serial entrepreneur" means an entrepreneur having brought one or more start-up businesses to venture capital funding by an institutional investor.

(b) The grant recipient shall submit a baseline assessment of innovation and entrepreneurship in the state on or before June 1, 2017, to the CTNext board of directors and to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce and finance, revenue and bonding in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
Such baseline assessment shall set forth baseline data for program measures.
Such program measures may include, but not be limited to, (1) the increase or decrease of (A) start-up businesses in this state, (B) software developers in the state, (C) start-up businesses in this state that have reached the growth stage, and (D) serial entrepreneurs in the state;
(2) job growth within growth stage businesses;
(3) the amount of private venture capital invested in start-up and growth stage businesses;
(4) employee turnover at start-up and growth stage businesses;
(5) the amount of research related to entrepreneurship and innovation that is currently funded by institutions of higher education in the state;
(6) the rate at which businesses enter the market in the state compared to the rate at which businesses exit such market;
and (7) the rate of hiring in the state in excess of job creation and the rate of separations from employment in excess of job loss.
The grant recipient shall submit an updated assessment of such measures biennially thereafter for a period of four years.

(c) The grant recipient shall conduct audits and analyses of (1) the programs and initiatives within CTNext which shall include, but not be limited to, (A) an analysis of whether such programs and initiatives are enhancing the measures set forth in subsection (b) of this section, and (B) recommendations for legislative or programmatic changes to (i) improve the measures set forth in subsection (b) of this section, and (ii) increase new business formation;
(2) activity at The University of Connecticut that encourages or discourages entrepreneurship, including, but not limited to, an analysis of patenting and intellectual property licensing policies and hiring of faculty with entrepreneurial experience;
and (3) activity that would increase the likelihood of new business formation.

(d) The grant recipient may conduct a one-time policy audit of state legislation and regulations effecting innovation and entrepreneurship in the state with recommendations for improvements thereto.

(e) The grant recipient may prepare a report (1) evaluating intrapreneurship models used by business organizations to stimulate creativity and innovation at such businesses, (2) detailing what, if any, such models are applied by businesses in the state, and (3) with recommendations for promoting the application of such models by businesses in the state.

(f) The CTNext board shall prescribe the manner in which a policy institute, institution of higher education or research organization shall submit an application for a grant-in-aid awarded pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, provided such application procedure shall include a request for proposals to conduct the assessments, audits and reports required under this section.
Any such response to such request for proposal shall be submitted to CTNext on or before January 1, 2017.

Sec.
26.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2016) The Commissioners of Economic and Community Development, Housing, Energy and Environmental Protection and Transportation, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the executive director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority may give priority for available financial assistance to entities located within a designated innovation place, as defined in section 5 of this act, provided such commissioner, secretary or executive director determines that such priority would facilitate the purposes of the innovation place program set forth in section 6 of this act.

Sec.
27.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) There is established a working group to examine innovation and entrepreneurship at in-state public and independent institutions of higher education.
The working group shall consist of in-state presidents of public and independent institutions of higher education, or any such president's designee.
On or before January 1, 2017, the executive director of CTNext shall invite the president of every in-state public and independent institution of higher education to serve on such working group.
Any such president may send a designee to serve in such president's place.
The executive director of CTNext shall schedule the first meeting of the working group, which shall be held not later than February 1, 2017.
The working group shall select two chairpersons of the working group during such meeting, one of whom shall be from a public institution of higher education and one of whom shall be from an independent institution of higher education.

(b) The working group shall develop a master plan for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship at in-state public and independent institutions of higher education.
Such plan shall be submitted to the CTNext board of directors, established pursuant to section 1 of this act, on or before May 1, 2017.
The CTNext board shall review and approve or reject such plan no later than one month after receipt of such plan.
If the CTNext board approves such plan, it shall submit such plan to the Higher Education Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee, established pursuant to section 28 of this act.
If the CTNext board rejects such plan, it shall submit a letter of rejection and recommended modifications to such plan to the working group.
The working group shall revise such plan based on the modifications recommended by the CTNext board and resubmit such revised plan to the CTNext board no later than one month after receipt of the letter of rejection and recommended modifications to such plan.
Such plan shall be resubmitted to the board until approved by such board, subject to the deadlines set forth in this subsection.
Such plan shall (1) address opportunities and risks to innovation and entrepreneurship resulting from existing and emergent conditions affecting entrepreneurial programs and initiatives at institutions of higher education;
(2) assess the scope and scale of existing entrepreneurial programs and initiatives at such institutions in the context of best practices at state and national institutions of higher education that are leaders in innovation and entrepreneurship;
(3) recommend initiatives that facilitate collaboration and cooperation among institutions of higher education on projects that address and strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship at such institutions;
(4) provide for the establishment of a state-wide intercollegiate business plan competition;
(5) identify funding priorities for higher education entrepreneurship grants-in-aid pursuant to section 28 of this act for projects that expand and enhance entrepreneurial programs and initiatives or projects involving partnerships among institutions of higher education.
For the purposes of this section, (A) "existing and emergent conditions" includes, but is not limited to, (i) trends in national funding for research and entrepreneurial endeavors at institutions of higher education, (ii) trends in student and faculty preferences in entrepreneurship-related collegiate programming and initiatives, (iii) willingness of alumni, entrepreneurs and local business organizations to serve as mentors to faculty and students and to provide student internships, (iv) undergraduate student visa and post graduate student visa opportunities for recruiting international students interested in entrepreneurship, and (v) the state's need to expand and strengthen state-wide innovation and entrepreneurship and new business formation, and (B) "entrepreneurial programs and initiatives" includes, but is not limited to, (i) mentorship of student entrepreneurs;
(ii) commercialization and licensing of intellectual property in a manner that encourages faculty entrepreneurship;
(iii) entrepreneur in residence programs;
(iv) entrepreneurship-related courses;
(v) research faculty having entrepreneurial experience;
(vi) on-campus business incubators or accelerators;
(vii) tenure policies that encourage faculty entrepreneurship;
(viii) on-campus events that encourage entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial community building;
and (ix) proof of concept support;
and (6) recommend programs that advance the state's innovation and entrepreneurship efforts.

(c) CTNext shall provide any necessary staff, office space, office systems and administrative support for the working group.

Sec.
28.
(NEW) (Effective October 1, 2016) (a) There shall be a Higher Education Entrepreneurship Advisory Committee within CTNext.
Such committee shall consist of members appointed by the CTNext board of directors, including, but not limited to:
(1) An equal number of representatives of public and private institutions of higher education;
(2) one baccalaureate student representative;
(3) one graduate student representative;
(4) one high school student who shall be a nonvoting member;
and (5) three serial entrepreneurs having experience as an entrepreneur in residence at an institution of higher education.
Such members shall be subject to term limits prescribed by the CTNext board.
All initial appointments to the committee pursuant to this subsection shall be made not later than June 1, 2017.
Each member shall hold office until a successor is appointed.
For the purposes of this section, "serial entrepreneur" means an entrepreneur having brought one or more start-up businesses to venture capital funding by an institutional investor.

(b) The executive director of CTNext shall call the first meeting of the advisory committee not later than June 15, 2017.
The advisory group shall select chairpersons of the advisory group during such meeting.
The advisory committee shall meet not less than quarterly thereafter and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary.

(c) No member of the advisory committee shall receive compensation for such member's service, except that each member shall be entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred during the performance of such member's official duties.

(d) A majority of members of the advisory committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the advisory committee.
The advisory committee may act by a majority of the members present at any meeting at which a quorum is in attendance, for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the advisory committee, except as otherwise provided in this section.

(e)Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, it shall not constitute a conflict of interest for a trustee, director, partner or officer of any person, firm or corporation, or any individual having a financial interest in a person, firm or corporation, to serve as a member of the advisory committee, provided such trustee, director, partner, officer or individual complies with all applicable provisions of chapter 10 of the general statutes.
All members of the advisory committee shall be deemed public officials and shall adhere to the code of ethics for public officials set forth in chapter 10 of the general statutes, except that no member shall be required to file a statement of financial interest as described in section 1-83 of the general statutes.

(f) Any institution of higher education, or partnership of one or more institutions of higher education, may submit an application for higher education entrepreneurship grant-in-aid to the advisory committee, on a form prescribed by the advisory committee.

(g) The advisory committee shall review applications for grants-in-aid submitted to it pursuant to this section.
The advisory committee may recommend approval of any such application to the CTNext board of directors if it determines that the application is consistent with and in furtherance of the master plan for entrepreneurship at public and private institutions of higher education developed pursuant to section 27 of this act.
The advisory committee shall give priority for grants-in-aid to applications including collaborative initiatives between institutions of higher education.

Sec.
29.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall establish a program to provide grants-in-aid on a competitive basis to start-up businesses located in, or relocating to, a single municipality in which a designated innovation place is located, provided Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall select such single municipality.
Such grants-in-aid shall be in an amount equal to fifty thousand dollars per business.
The corporation shall provide a business receiving such grant-in-aid with mentoring opportunities, access to coworking space or business accelerators located within such single municipality for one year, talent acquisition services, access to angel or venture capital networks and access to a community of entrepreneurs.
The corporation shall consider making an equity investment in a business receiving such grant-in-aid.

Sec.
30.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) On and after July 1, 2017, CTNext, established pursuant to section 1 of this act, shall maintain an Internet web site that advertises (1) Connecticut-based start-up businesses that have been approved by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated as qualified recipients of cash investments from angel investors pursuant to section 12-704d of the general statutes, and (2) Connecticut-based start-up businesses that are seeking funding on reward-based and equity-based crowdfunding Internet web sites.
For each business advertised on such Internet web site, CTNext shall include a description of such business and the product, project or venture proposed by such business and links to the Internet web site and crowdfunding Internet web site associated with such business, as applicable.
For purposes of this section, "crowdfunding" means funding a product, project or venture by seeking small individual cash contributions from a large number of people.

(b) CTNext, the Department of Economic and Community Development and Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated shall each post on the home page of its Internet web site a link to the Internet web site maintained pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
CTNext shall advertise and promote such Internet web site with paid advertisements on Internet web sites and any other means as determined by CTNext.

Sec.
31.
Section 12-63i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2016):

(a) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall establish a pilot program for not more than five municipalities of varying sizes and in different regions of the state to allow for the assessment of a commercial property based on the net profits of the business or businesses occupying such property.
Municipalities shall apply to said office in the manner and form directed by the secretary for inclusion in the pilot program.

(b)Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, any municipal charter, any special act or any home rule ordinance, each municipality selected to participate in the pilot program shall, by ordinance, provide for the assessment of [not more than three] commercial properties based upon the net profits from the previous calendar year of the business or businesses occupying each commercial property or, if such commercial property was vacant, on the net profits anticipated by a new business tenant of such commercial property.
A participating municipality shall include in the ordinance adopting such assessment method (1) a description of commercial properties that are eligible for such assessment method, (2) a requirement that all parties affected by the use of such assessment method, including the owner or owners of the commercial property, the business or businesses occupying such property and the municipality, agree to the use of such assessment method, (3) a description of how the rate of assessment for such commercial properties will be determined, based upon such net profits or anticipated net profits, (4) provision for an application process, including documentation required from the owner of a commercial property to demonstrate the benefits to the municipality and such commercial property of such assessment method, and (5) provision for the phase-out of such assessment method on individual commercial properties, so such properties may be returned to the assessment method otherwise required by this chapter.

(c)The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall, not later than January 1, 2015, and annually thereafter, report in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding, regarding the program established by this section.
Such report shall include a description of (1) efforts made by the office to inform municipalities about the program, (2) the application process developed by the office, (3) inquiries and applications received from municipalities regarding participation in the program, and (4) legislative changes that may be considered to improve the program.

Sec.
32.
Section 12-65b of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2016, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2016):

(a) Any municipality may, by affirmative vote of its legislative body, enter into a written agreement, for a period of not more than ten years, with any party owning or proposing to acquire an interest in real property in such municipality, or with any party owning or proposing to acquire an interest in air space in such municipality, or with any party who is the lessee of, or who proposes to be the lessee of, air space in such municipality in such a manner that the air space leased or proposed to be leased shall be assessed to the lessee pursuant to section 12-64, fixing the assessment of the real property or air space which is the subject of the agreement, and all improvements thereon or therein and to be constructed thereon or therein, subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section.[, (1) for a period of not more than seven years, provided the cost of such improvements to be constructed is not less than three million dollars, (2) for a period of not more than two years, provided the cost of such improvements to be constructed is not less than five hundred thousand dollars, (3) to the extent of not more than fifty per cent of such increased assessment, for a period of not more than three years, provided the cost of such improvements to be constructed is not less than ten thousand dollars, or (4) for a period of years specified in an ordinance, for improvements to be constructed on land used or to be used for any retail business in an area designated in such ordinance.
] For purposes of this section, "improvements to be constructed" includes the rehabilitation of existing structures for retail business use.

(b)The provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall only apply if the improvements are for at least one of the following:
(1) Office use;
(2) retail use;
(3) permanent residential use in connection with a residential property consisting of four or more dwelling units;
(4) transient residential use in connection with a residential property consisting of four or more dwelling units;
(5) manufacturing use;
(6) warehouse, storage or distribution use;
(7) structured multilevel parking use necessary in connection with a mass transit system;
(8) information technology;
(9) recreation facilities;
(10) transportation facilities;
(11) mixed-use development, as defined in section 8-13m;
or (12) use by or on behalf of a health system, as defined in section 19a-508c.

Sec.
33.
Section 10-407 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) To be eligible for a matching grant for a fiscal year pursuant to this section and section 10-408, total donor contributions for the fiscal year for which such amount is calculated shall be not less than [twenty-five]fifteen thousand dollars.

(b)For the portion of total donor contributions for the fiscal year which is equal to [twenty-five]fifteen thousand dollars or more but does not exceed the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of twenty-five per cent of such amount, provided no match pursuant to this subsection shall exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars.

(c)For the portion of total donor contributions for the fiscal year which exceeds the total donor contributions for the prior fiscal year, there shall be a match of one hundred per cent of such amount, provided no match pursuant to this subsection shall exceed one million dollars.

(d)If in any fiscal year the total amount of matching grants to be paid pursuant to the provisions of this section and section 10-408, exceed the [investment earnings of the Arts Endowment Fund which are]amount available for payments to arts organizations pursuant to section 10-406, as amended by this act, all such matching grants shall be reduced on a pro rata basis, provided the department shall not issue any grant in an amount less than five hundred dollars.

Sec.
34.
Section 10-406 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

There is created a "Connecticut Arts Endowment Fund".
The proceeds of any bonds issued for the purposes of sections 10-405 to 10-408, inclusive, shall be deposited in said fund.
The State Treasurer shall invest the proceeds of the fund and the investment earnings shall be credited to and become part of the fund.
Annually, on or before September first, the Treasurer shall notify the department and the Connecticut Arts Council of the total increase in the market value of the fund and the total amount of investment earnings of the fund for the prior fiscal year.[and such amount]The greater of the amount of (1) the total increase in the market value of the fund, not to exceed five per cent of the market value of the fund, or (2) the total amount of investment earnings of the fund shall be available to the department for payments pursuant to sections 10-407, as amended by this act, and 10-408.
Any balance remaining in the fund at the end of each fiscal year shall be carried forward in the fund for the succeeding fiscal year.

Sec.
35.
Section 12-391 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is amended by adding subsection (i) as follows (Effective October 1, 2016, and applicable to estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2021):

(NEW) (i) The tax calculated pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be reduced in an amount equal to half of the amount invested by a decedent in a private investment fund or fund of funds pursuant to subdivision (43) of section 32-39, as amended by this act, provided (1) any such reduction shall not exceed five million dollars for any such decedent, (2) any such amount invested by the decedent shall have been invested in such fund or fund of funds for ten years or more, and (3) the aggregate amount of all taxes reduced under this subsection shall not exceed thirty million dollars.

Sec.
36.
(Effective July 1, 2016) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (76) of section 12-81 of the general statutes, any person otherwise eligible for a 2015 grand list exemption pursuant to said subdivision (76) in the town of Milford, except that such person failed to file the required exemption application within the time period prescribed, shall be regarded as having filed said application in a timely manner if such person files said application not later than thirty days after the effective date of this section.
Any late filing fee described in section 12-81k of the general statutes shall be waived by the Milford assessor or board of assessors, as applicable.
Upon verification of the exemption eligibility of the machinery and equipment included in such application, the assessor shall approve the exemption for such property.
If taxes have been paid on the property for which such exemption is approved, the town of Milford shall reimburse such person in an amount equal to the amount by which such taxes exceed the taxes payable if the application had been filed in a timely manner.

Sec.
37.
Subsection (i) of section 2-71p of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(i)Each contract for contractual services entered into by the committee on and after July 1, 2015, shall require the contractor awarded such contract, and each subcontractor of such contractor, to pay each of the contractor's or subcontractor's employees providing services under such contract, and that are performed or rendered at the Legislative Office Building [,]or the State Capitol,[or the Old State House,] a wage of at least (1) fifteen dollars per hour, or (2) if applicable, the amount required to be paid under subsection (b) of section 31-57f, whichever is greater.
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any employee providing services under such contract who receives services from the Department of Developmental Services.

Sec.
38.
Subsection (g) of section 2-71t of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(g)Each personal service agreement executed by the committee under this section on and after July 1, 2015, regardless of whether such agreement was based on competitive negotiation or competitive quotations, shall require each personal service contractor, and each subcontractor of such contractor, to pay each of the contractor's or subcontractor's employees providing services under such agreement, and that are performed or rendered at the Legislative Office Building [,]or the State Capitol,[or the Old State House,] a wage of at least (1) fifteen dollars per hour, or (2) if applicable, the amount required to be paid under subsection (b) of section 31-57f, whichever is greater.
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any employee providing services under such agreement who receives services from the Department of Developmental Services.

Sec.
39.
Subsection (b) of section 2-71u of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)On and after July 1, 2015, the committee shall not extend any personal service agreement or contract based on competitive negotiation under subsection (a) of this section unless such agreement or contract requires, or is modified to require, the personal service contractor or contractor, and each subcontractor of such personal service contractor or contractor, to pay each of the personal service contractor's, contractor's or subcontractor's employees providing services under such agreement or contract, and that are performed or rendered at the Legislative Office Building [,]or the State Capitol,[or the Old State House,] a wage of at least (1) fifteen dollars per hour, or (2) if applicable, the amount required to be paid under subsection (b) of section 31-57f, whichever is greater.
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any employee providing services under such agreement or contract who receives services from the Department of Developmental Services.

Sec.
40.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) In consideration of the sum of one dollar, the Joint Committee on Legislative Management shall lease or sublease, as appropriate, the Old State House to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Such lease or sublease shall be for a term that is coterminous with the Joint Committee on Legislative Management's lease with the city of Hartford for said Old State House that is in effect as of the effective date of this section.
Upon execution of such lease or sublease, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall be responsible for the care, maintenance and operation of the Old State House.

Sec.
41.
Section 31-98 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The panel, or its single member if sitting in accordance with section 31-93, may, in its discretion and with the consent of the parties, issue an oral decision immediately upon conclusion of the proceedings.
If the decision is to be in writing, it shall be signed, within fifteen days, by a majority of the members of the panel or by the single member so sitting, and the decision shall state such details as will clearly show the nature of the decision and the points disposed of by the panel.
Where the decision is in writing, one copy thereof shall be filed by the panel in the office of the town clerk in the town where the controversy arose and one copy shall be given to each of the parties to the controversy.
The panel or single member which has rendered an oral decision immediately upon conclusion of the proceedings shall submit a written copy of the decision to each party within fifteen days from the issuance of such oral decision.
In all cases where a decision is rendered orally from the bench, the secretary shall cause such oral decision to be transcribed, approved by the panel or single member as applicable and filed with the records of the board proceedings.

(b)Upon the conclusion of the proceedings, each member of the panel shall receive [one hundred seventy-five dollars, and on and after July 1, 2006, two]three hundred twenty-five dollars and a panel member who prepares a written decision shall receive an additional [one hundred twenty-five dollars, and on and after July 1, 2006,] one hundred seventy-five dollars, or the single member, if sitting in accordance with section 31-93, shall receive [two hundred seventy-five dollars, and on and after July 1, 2006,] three hundred twenty-five dollars, provided if the proceedings extend beyond one day, each member shall receive [one hundred dollars, and on and after July 1, 2006,] one hundred fifty dollars for each additional day beyond the first day, and provided further no proceeding may be extended beyond two days without the prior approval of the Labor Commissioner for each such additional day.

(c)Upon the conclusion of an executive panel session, each member of such panel shall receive [one hundred dollars, and on and after July 1, 2006,] one hundred fifty dollars.

Sec.
42.
Section 8-71 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective from passage):

(a)In lieu of real property taxes, special benefit assessments and sewerage system use charges otherwise payable to such municipality, except in such municipalities as, by special act or charter, on May 20, 1957, had a sewer use charge, an authority shall pay each year to the municipality in which any of its moderate rental housing projects are located a sum to be determined by the municipality, with the approval of the Commissioner of Housing, not in excess of twelve and one-half per cent of the shelter rent per annum for each occupied dwelling unit in any such housing project;
except that the amount of such payment shall not be so limited in any case where funds are made available for such payment by an agency or department of the United States government, but no payment shall exceed the amount of taxes which would be paid on the property were the property not exempt from taxation.

(b) For the period commencing on the effective date of this section and ending June 30, 2018, each municipality that received a grant-in-aid pursuant to section 8-216 in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, shall waive any payment that becomes payable during such period pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, except that no waiver shall be required in any case where funds are made available for such payment by an agency or department of the United States government.

Sec.
43.
Subsection (c) of section 17b-265d of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2016):

(c)A full benefit dually eligible Medicare Part D beneficiary shall be responsible for any Medicare Part D prescription drug copayments imposed pursuant to Public Law 108-173, the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 in an amount not to exceed seventeen dollars per month in the aggregate. The Department of Social Services shall be responsible for payment, on behalf of such beneficiary, of any portion of such Medicare Part D prescription drug copayment which exceeds seventeen dollars in the aggregate in any month.

Sec.
44.
Section 17b-84 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) Upon the death of any beneficiary under the state supplement or the temporary family assistance program, the Commissioner of Social Services shall order the payment of a sum not to exceed one thousand [four]two hundred dollars as an allowance toward the funeral and burial expenses of such [deceased]decedent.
The payment for funeral and burial expenses shall be reduced by (1) the amount in any revocable or irrevocable funeral fund, (2) any prepaid funeral contract,[or](3) the face value of any life insurance policy owned by the [recipient.
Contributions may be made by any person for the cost of the funeral and burial expenses of the deceased over and above the sum established under this section without thereby diminishing the state's obligation.
]decedent, (4) the net value of all liquid assets in the decedent's estate, and (5) contributions in excess of three thousand four hundred dollars toward such funeral and burial expenses from all other sources, including friends, relatives and all other persons, organizations, agencies, veterans' programs and other benefit programs.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

Sec.
45.
Section 17b-131 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) When a person in any town, or sent from such town to any licensed institution or state humane institution, dies or is found dead therein and does not leave sufficient estate [or]and has no legally liable relative able to pay the cost of a proper funeral and burial, or upon the death of any beneficiary under the state-administered general assistance program, the Commissioner of Social Services shall give to such person a proper funeral and burial, and shall pay a sum not exceeding one thousand [four]two hundred dollars as an allowance toward the funeral expenses of such [deceased, said]decedent. Said sum [to]shall be paid, upon submission of a proper bill, to the funeral director, cemetery or crematory, as the case may be.
Such payment for funeral and burial expenses shall be reduced by (1) the amount in any revocable or irrevocable funeral fund, (2) any prepaid funeral contract, (3) the face value of any life insurance policy owned by the decedent, [and] (4) the net value of all liquid assets in the decedent's estate, and (5)contributions in excess of three thousand [two]four hundred dollars toward such funeral and burial expenses from all other sources including friends, relatives and all other persons, organizations, [veterans' and other benefit programs and other] agencies, veterans' programs and other benefit programs.

(b) The Commissioner of Social Services may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.

Sec.
46.
(Effective July 1, 2016) Notwithstanding the rate-setting provisions set forth in chapters 319v and 319y of the general statutes, or regulations adopted thereunder, the state rates of payments in effect for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, for residential care homes, community living arrangements and community companion homes that receive the flat rate for residential services, as provided pursuant to section 17-311-54 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, shall remain in effect until June 30, 2017.

Sec.
47.
Section 17a-215of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

The Department of [Developmental]Social Services shall serve as the lead agency to coordinate, where possible, the functions of the several state agencies which have responsibility for providing services to persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Sec.
48.
Section 17a-215c of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is established a Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services within the Department of [Developmental]Social Services.

(b)The Department of [Developmental]Social Services [shall]may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to define the term "autism spectrum disorder", establish eligibility standards and criteria for the receipt of services by any resident of the state diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, regardless of age, and data collection, maintenance and reporting processes.
The [commissioner]Commissioner of Social Services may implement policies and procedures necessary to administer the provisions of this section prior to adoption of such regulations, provided the commissioner shall publish notice of intent to adopt such regulations not later than twenty days after implementation of such policies and procedures.
Any such policies and procedures shall be valid until such regulations are adopted.

(c)The Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services may, within available appropriations, research, design and implement the delivery of appropriate and necessary services and programs for all residents of the state with autism spectrum disorder.
Such services and programs may include the creation of:
(1) Autism-specific early intervention services for any child under the age of three diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder;
(2) education, recreation, habilitation, vocational and transition services for individuals age three to twenty-one, inclusive, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder;
(3) services for adults over the age of twenty-one diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder;
and (4) related autism spectrum disorder services deemed necessary by the Commissioner of [Developmental]Social Services.

(d)The Department of [Developmental]Social Services shall serve as the lead state agency for the purpose of the federal Combating Autism Act, P.
L.
109-416, as amended from time to time, and for applying for and receiving funds and performing any related responsibilities concerning autism spectrum disorder which are authorized pursuant to any state or federal law.

(e)[On or before February 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, the]The Department of [Developmental]Social Services may make recommendations to the Governor and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to [public health]human services concerning legislation and funding required to provide necessary services to persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

(f)The Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services shall research and locate possible funding streams for the continued development and implementation of services for persons diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder but not with intellectual disability.
The division shall take all necessary action [, in coordination with the Department of Social Services,] to secure Medicaid reimbursement for home and community-based individualized support services for adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder but not with intellectual disability.
Such action may include applying for a Medicaid waiver pursuant to Section 1915(c) of the Social Security Act, as amended from time to time, in order to secure the funding for such services.

(g)The Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services shall, within available appropriations:
(1) Design and implement a training initiative that shall include training to develop a workforce;
and (2) develop a curriculum specific to autism spectrum disorder in coordination with the Board of Regents for Higher Education.

(h)The case records of the Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services maintained by the division for any purpose authorized pursuant to subsections (b) to (g), inclusive, of this section shall be subject to the same confidentiality requirements, under state and federal law, that govern all client records maintained by the Department of [Developmental]Social Services.

(i)The Commissioner of Social Services [, in consultation with the Commissioner of Developmental Services,] may seek approval of an amendment to the state Medicaid plan or a waiver from federal law, whichever is sufficient and most expeditious, to establish and implement a Medicaid-financed home and community-based program to provide community-based services and, if necessary, housing assistance, to adults diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder but not with intellectual disability.

(j)On or before January 1, 2008, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Social Services, [in consultation with the Commissioner of Developmental Services, and] in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to [public health]human services, on the status of any amendment to the state Medicaid plan or waiver from federal law as described in subsection (i) of this section and on the establishment and implementation of the program authorized pursuant to subsection (i) of this section.

(k)The Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Council, established pursuant to section 17a-215d, as amended by this act, shall advise the Commissioner of [Developmental]Social Services on all matters relating to autism.

(l)The Commissioner of [Developmental]Social Services, in consultation with the Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Council, shall designate services and interventions that demonstrate, in accordance with medically established and research-based best practices, empirical effectiveness for the treatment of autism spectrum disorder.
The commissioner shall update such designations periodically and whenever the commissioner deems it necessary to conform to changes generally recognized by the relevant medical community in evidence-based practices or research.

Sec.
49.
Section 17a-215d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a)There is established the Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Council.
The council shall consist of the following members:
(1) The Commissioner of [Developmental]Social Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(2) the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee;
(3) the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;
(4) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(5) the Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee;
(6) the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(7) the Commissioner of [Social]Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(8) the Commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's designee; (9) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee;
[(9)](10) the executive director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, or the executive director's designee;
[(10)](11) two persons with autism spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the speaker of the House of Representatives;
[(11)](12) two persons who are parents or guardians of a child with autism spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the minority leader of the Senate;
[(12)](13) two persons who are parents or guardians of an adult with autism spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and the majority leader of the House of Representatives;
[(13)](14) two persons who are advocates for persons with autism spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the speaker of the House of Representatives;
[(14)](15) two persons who are licensed professionals working in the field of autism spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the majority leader of the Senate;
[(15)](16) two persons who provide services for persons with autism spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the minority leader of the House of Representatives;
[(16)](17) two persons who shall be representatives of an institution of higher education in the state with experience in the field of autism spectrum disorder, one each appointed by the Governor and the president pro tempore of the Senate;
and [(17)](18) one person who is a physician who treats or diagnoses persons with autism spectrum disorder, appointed by the Governor.

(b)The council shall have two chairpersons, one of whom shall be the Commissioner of [Developmental]Social Services, or the commissioner's designee, and one of whom shall be elected by the members of the council.
The council shall make rules for the conduct of its affairs.
The council shall meet not less than four times per year and at such other times as requested by the chairpersons.
Council members shall serve without compensation.

(c)The council shall advise the Commissioner of [Developmental]Social Services concerning:
(1) Policies and programs for persons with autism spectrum disorder;
(2) services provided by the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services;
and (3) implementation of the recommendations resulting from the autism feasibility study.
The council may make recommendations to the commissioner for policy and program changes to improve support services for persons with autism spectrum disorder.

Sec.
50.
Section 17a-247a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

As used in this section and sections 17a-247b to 17a-247f, inclusive:

(1)"Abuse" means (A) the wilful infliction by an employee of physical pain or injury, financial exploitation, psychological abuse or verbal abuse;
(B) the wilful deprivation of services necessary to the physical and mental health and safety of an individual who receives services or funding from the department;
or (C) sexual abuse.

(2)"Authorized agency" means any agency authorized in accordance with the general statutes to conduct abuse and neglect investigations and responsible for issuing or carrying out protective services for persons with intellectual disability or individuals receiving services or funding from the [department's]Department of Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services.

(3)"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Developmental Services.

(4)"Department" means the Department of Developmental Services.

(5)"Employee" means any person employed (A) by the department, or (B) by an agency, organization or person that is licensed or funded by the department.

(6)"Employer" means (A) the department, or (B) an agency, organization or person that is licensed or funded by the department.

(7)"Financial exploitation" means the theft, misappropriation or unauthorized or improper use of property, money or other resource that is intended to be used by or for an individual who receives services or funding from the department.

(8)"Neglect" means the failure by an employee, through action or inaction, to provide an individual who receives services or funding from the department with the services necessary to maintain such individual's physical and mental health and safety.

(9)"Protective services" has the same meaning as provided in section 46a-11a.

(10)"Psychological abuse" means an act intended to (A) humiliate, intimidate, degrade or demean an individual who receives services or funding from the department, (B) inflict emotional harm or invoke fear in such individual, or (C) otherwise negatively impact the mental health of such individual.

(12)"Sexual abuse" means (A) any sexual contact between an individual who receives services or funding from the department, regardless of such individual's ability to consent, and an employee, or (B) the encouragement by an employee of an individual who receives services or funding from the department to engage in sexual activity.

(13)"Substantiated abuse or neglect" means a determination by an authorized agency, following an investigation conducted or monitored by such agency, that (A) abuse or neglect of an individual who receives services or funding from the department or from the Department of Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services has occurred, or (B) there has been a criminal conviction of a felony or misdemeanor involving abuse or neglect.

(14)"Verbal abuse" means the use of offensive or intimidating language that is intended to provoke or cause the distress of an individual who receives services or funding from the department.

Sec.
51.
Section 17a-247fof the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) For purposes of this section "individual who receives services from the [department's]Department of Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services" means an individual eighteen years of age to sixty years of age, inclusive, who receives funding or services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services.

(b)(1)The [commissioner]Commissioner of Developmental Services may investigate any reports alleging abuse or neglect of an individual who receives services from the [department's]Department of Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services.
Such investigation shall include a visit to the residence of the individual reported to have been abused or neglected and consultation with persons having knowledge of the facts surrounding such allegation.
All state, local and private agencies shall have a duty to cooperate with any such investigation, including the release of complete records of such individual for review, inspection and copying, except where such individual refuses to permit his or her record to be released.
All such records shall be kept confidential by the [department]Department of Developmental Services.

(2)Upon completion of the investigation of each case, the [commissioner]Commissioner of Developmental Services shall prepare written findings that shall include a determination as to whether abuse or neglect has occurred and recommendations as to whether protective services are needed.
The [commissioner]Commissioner of Developmental Services, except in cases where the parent or guardian of the individual reported to be abused or neglected is the alleged perpetrator of abuse or neglect or is residing with the alleged perpetrator, shall notify the parents or guardian, if any, of such individual if a report of abuse or neglect is made that the department determines warrants investigation.
The [commissioner]Commissioner of Developmental Services shall provide the parents or guardians who the [commissioner]Commissioner of Developmental Services determines are entitled to such information with further information upon request.
The person making the allegation of abuse or neglect and the Director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities shall be notified of the findings resulting from the investigation, upon such person's request.

(3)Neither the original allegation of abuse or neglect nor the investigation report of the investigator that includes findings and recommendations shall be deemed a public record for purposes of section 1-210.
The name of the person making the original allegation shall not be disclosed to any person unless the person making the original allegation consents to such disclosure or unless a judicial proceeding results therefrom.

Sec.
52.
Section 17b-2of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

The Department of Social Services is designated as the state agency for the administration of (1) the Connecticut energy assistance program pursuant to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981;
(2) the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994;
(3) the refugee assistance program pursuant to the Refugee Act of 1980;
(4) the legalization impact assistance grant program pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986;
(5) the temporary assistance for needy families program pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996;
(6) the Medicaid program pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act;
(7) the supplemental nutrition assistance program pursuant to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008;
(8) the state supplement to the Supplemental Security Income Program pursuant to the Social Security Act;
(9) the state child support enforcement plan pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act;
[and] (10) the state social services plan for the implementation of the social services block grants and community services block grants pursuant to the Social Security Act; and (11) services for persons with autism spectrum disorder in accordance with sections 17a-215, as amended by this act, and 17a-215c, as amended by this act.

Sec.
53.
Subsection (h) of section 26-30 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(h)The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection may issue a group fishing license to any tax-exempt organization qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, for the purpose of conducting a group fishing event or events for persons:
(1) With a service-related or other disability who receive services at a facility of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs Connecticut Healthcare System, (2) who receive mental health or addiction services from:
(A) The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, (B) state-operated facilities, as defined in section 17a-458, or (C) programs or facilities funded by the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, as provided for in sections 17a-468b, 17a-469, 17a-673 and 17a-676, (3) with intellectual disability [or diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder] who receive services from the Department of Developmental Services, as provided for in section 17a-217, or from facilities licensed by the Department of Developmental Services, as provided for in section 17a-227, as amended by this act,[or] (4) diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder who receive services from the Department of Social Services, or (5) receiving care from the Department of Children and Families, as provided for in section 17a-94, or from programs or child-care facilities licensed pursuant to section 17a-145 or 17a-147.
Any such organization shall conduct not more than fifty such events, including marine and inland water events, in any calendar year and each such event shall be limited to not more than fifty persons.
Application for such a group fishing license shall be submitted once per calendar year on a form prescribed by the commissioner and with the necessary fee and shall provide such information as required by the commissioner.
All fishing activities conducted pursuant to such group license shall be supervised by staff or volunteers of the organization conducting the event or events.
Such staff or volunteers shall possess such group fishing license at the site of any such event or events.
Each such staff member or volunteer shall have a license to fish.
Such organization shall, not later than ten days after such group fishing event, report to the commissioner, on forms provided by the commissioner, information on the results of such event.
Such information shall include, but not be limited to, the total:
[(i)](A) Number of participants, [(ii)](B) hours fished, [(iii)](C) number of each species caught, and [(iv)](D) number of each species not released.
Such organization shall not charge a fee to any person that participates in any such group fishing event conducted pursuant to such group fishing license and any such group fishing event shall not be used by such organization as a fund raising event.

Sec.
54.
Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 38a-514b of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(4)"Behavioral therapy" means any interactive behavioral therapies derived from evidence-based research and consistent with the services and interventions designated by the Commissioner of [Developmental]Social Services pursuant to subsection (l) of section 17a-215c, as amended by this act, including, but not limited to, applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, or other therapies supported by empirical evidence of the effective treatment of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, that are:
(A) Provided to children less than twenty-one years of age;
and (B) provided or supervised by (i) a behavior analyst who is certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, (ii) a licensed physician, or (iii) a licensed psychologist.
For the purposes of this subdivision, behavioral therapy is "supervised by" such behavior analyst, licensed physician or licensed psychologist when such supervision entails at least one hour of face-to-face supervision of the autism spectrum disorder services provider by such behavior analyst, licensed physician or licensed psychologist for each ten hours of behavioral therapy provided by the supervised provider.

Sec.
55.
Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 38a-488b of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(4)"Behavioral therapy" means any interactive behavioral therapies derived from evidence-based research and consistent with the services and interventions designated by the Commissioner of [Developmental]Social Services pursuant to subsection (l) of section 17a-215c, as amended by this act, including, but not limited to, applied behavior analysis, cognitive behavioral therapy, or other therapies supported by empirical evidence of the effective treatment of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, that are:
(A) Provided to children less than twenty-one years of age;
and (B) provided or supervised by (i) a behavior analyst who is certified by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board, (ii) a licensed physician, or (iii) a licensed psychologist.
For the purposes of this subdivision, behavioral therapy is "supervised by" such behavior analyst, licensed physician or licensed psychologist when such supervision entails at least one hour of face-to-face supervision of the autism spectrum disorder services provider by such behavior analyst, licensed physician or licensed psychologist for each ten hours of behavioral therapy provided by the supervised provider.

Sec.
56.
Subdivision (11) of section 46a-11a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(11)"Individual who receives services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services" means an individual eighteen years of age to sixty years of age, inclusive, who receives funding or services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services.

Sec.
57.
Section 46a-11b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) Any physician or surgeon licensed under the provisions of chapter 370, any resident physician or intern in any hospital in this state, whether or not so licensed, any registered nurse, any person paid for caring for persons in any facility and any licensed practical nurse, medical examiner, dental hygienist, dentist, occupational therapist, optometrist, chiropractor, psychologist, podiatrist, social worker, school teacher, school principal, school guidance counselor, school paraprofessional, mental health professional, physician assistant, licensed or certified substance abuse counselor, licensed marital and family therapist, speech and language pathologist, clergyman, police officer, pharmacist, physical therapist, licensed professional counselor or sexual assault counselor or domestic violence counselor, as defined in section 52-146k, who has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that any person with intellectual disability or any individual who receives services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services has been abused or neglected shall, as soon as practicable but not later than seventy-two hours after such person has reasonable cause to suspect or believe that a person with intellectual disability or any individual who receives services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services has been abused or neglected, report such information or cause a report to be made in any reasonable manner to the director or persons the director designates to receive such reports.
Such initial report shall be followed up by a written report not later than five calendar days after the initial report was made.
Any person required to report under this subsection who fails to make such report shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.

(b)Such report shall contain the name and address of the allegedly abused or neglected person, a statement from the person making the report indicating his or her belief that such person has intellectual disability or receives funding or services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, information supporting the supposition that such person is substantially unable to protect himself or herself from abuse or neglect, information regarding the nature and extent of the abuse or neglect and any other information that the person making such report believes might be helpful in an investigation of the case and the protection of such person with intellectual disability or who receives funding or services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services.

(c)Each facility, as defined in section 46a-11a, as amended by this act, shall inform residents of their rights and the staff of their responsibility to report abuse or neglect and shall establish appropriate policies and procedures to facilitate such reporting.

(d)Any other person having reasonable cause to believe that a person with intellectual disability or an individual who receives services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services is being or has been abused or neglected may report such information, in any reasonable manner, to the director or to the director's designee.

(e)Any person who makes any report pursuant to sections 46a-11a to 46a-11g, inclusive, as amended by this act, or who testifies in any administrative or judicial proceeding arising from such report shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability on account of such report or testimony, except for liability for perjury, unless such person acted in bad faith or with malicious purpose.
Any person who obstructs, hinders or endangers any person reporting or investigating abuse or neglect or providing protective services or who makes a report in bad faith or with malicious purpose and who is not subject to any other penalty shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.
No resident or employee of a facility, as defined in section 46a-11a, as amended by this act, shall be subject to reprisal or discharge because of his actions in reporting pursuant to sections 46a-11a to 46a-11g, inclusive, as amended by this act.

(f)For purposes of said sections, the treatment of any person with intellectual disability or any individual who receives services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services by a Christian Science practitioner, in lieu of treatment by a licensed practitioner of the healing arts, shall not of itself constitute grounds for the implementation of protective services.

(g)When the director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities or persons designated by said director are required to investigate or monitor abuse or neglect reports that are referred to the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities from another agency, all provisions of this section shall apply to any investigation or monitoring of such case or report.

Sec.
58.
Subsection (b) of section 46a-11c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)The director, upon receiving a report that an individual who receives services from the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, allegedly is being or has been abused or neglected, shall make an initial determination whether such individual receives funding or services from said division, shall determine if the report warrants investigation and shall cause, in cases that so warrant, a prompt, thorough evaluation, as described in subsection (b) of section 17a-247f, as amended by this act, to be made by the Department of Developmental Services to determine whether the individual has been abused or neglected.

Sec.
59.
Section 17a-215e of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is inserted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

Not later than February 1, [2016]2017, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of [Developmental]Social Services shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to [public health]human services concerning the activities of the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services, established pursuant to section 17a-215c, as amended by this act, and the Autism Spectrum Disorder Advisory Council, established pursuant to section 17a-215d, as amended by this act.
Such report shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) The number and ages of persons with autism spectrum disorder who are served by the Department of [Developmental]Social Services' Division of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services and, when practicable to report, the number and ages of such persons who are served by other state agencies;
(2) the number and ages of persons with autism spectrum disorder on said division's waiting list for Medicaid waiver services;
(3) the type of Medicaid waiver services currently provided by the department to persons with autism spectrum disorder;
(4) a description of the unmet needs of persons with autism spectrum disorder on said division's waiting list;
(5) the projected estimates for a five-year period of the costs to the state due to such unmet needs;
(6) measurable outcome data for persons with autism spectrum disorder who are eligible to receive services from said division, including, but not limited to, (A) the number of such persons who are enrolled in postsecondary education, (B) the employment status of such persons, and (C) a description of such persons' living arrangements;
and (7) a description of new initiatives and proposals for new initiatives that are under consideration.

Sec.
60.
Subsection (a) of section 17b-666 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The Department of Rehabilitation Services may receive state and federal funds to administer, within available appropriations, an employment opportunities program to serve individuals with the most significant disabilities who do not meet the eligibility requirements of supported employment programs administered by the Departments of Developmental Services, Social Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services.
For the purposes of this section, "individuals with the most significant disabilities" means those individuals who (1) have serious employment limitations in a total of three or more functional areas including, but not limited to, mobility, communication, self-care, interpersonal skills, work tolerance or work skills, or (2) will require significant ongoing disability-related services on the job in order to maintain employment.

Sec.
61.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) For the purposes of this section, "member", "retirement system", and "state employee" have the same meanings as provided in section 5-154 of the general statutes.

(b) (1) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, each state employee first hired by the state on or after July 1, 2016, who is a member of the state employees retirement system and whose state employment is not subject to the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, shall not be entitled to receive any retirement income in excess of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars per year during the period for which such member receives retirement income, regardless of the years of vesting service or other requirements of such member's retirement plan such member has completed at the time of retirement.

(2) If such member's retirement income is calculated to be more than one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars per year at the time of the member's retirement, or if such member's retirement income after any cost-of-living adjustment becomes more than one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars per year, the amount of such member's retirement income shall be reduced to one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars per year, and such member shall not be entitled to any further cost-of-living adjustment.

Sec.
62.
Section 10-283a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

[A committee to review the]The listing of eligible school building projects submitted pursuant to section 10-283 shall be [appointed annually on or before July first consisting of eight persons who are members of the General Assembly at the time of their appointment as follows:
Two persons each appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the president pro tempore of the Senate and the minority leader of the Senate]reviewed by a committee consisting of the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budget of state agencies, finance, revenue and bonding and education.
The listing of eligible projects by category shall be submitted to said committee prior to December fifteenth annually to determine if said listing is in compliance with the categories described in subsection (a) of section 10-283, and standards established in regulations adopted pursuant to section 10-287c.
The committee may modify the listing.
Such modified listing shall be in compliance with such standards and categories.
On or after January first annually, and prior to February first annually, the committee shall submit the approved or modified listing of projects to the Governor and the General Assembly.

Sec.
63.
(NEW) (Effective from passage)Notwithstanding the provisions of section 10-76ii of the general statutes, "autism spectrum disorder" has the same meaning as is set forth in the most recent edition of the American Psychiatric Association's "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders".

Sec.
64.
Subsection (p) of section 10-264l of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(p)For the fiscal [years]year ending June 30, 2016, and [June 30, 2017]each fiscal year thereafter, if the East Hartford school district has greater than seven per cent of its resident students, as defined in section 10-262f, enrolled in an interdistrict magnet school program, then the board of education for the town of East Hartford shall not be financially responsible for four thousand four hundred dollars of the portion of the per student tuition charged for each such student in excess of such seven per cent.
The Department of Education shall, within available appropriations, be financially responsible for such excess per student tuition.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, for the fiscal [years]year ending June 30, 2016, and [June 30, 2017]each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grants payable to the board of education for the town of East Hartford in accordance with this subsection shall be reduced proportionately if the total of such grants in such year exceeds the amount appropriated for purposes of this subsection.

Sec.
65.
Section 17a-484e of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) [There is established within the]The Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall establish, within available appropriations, a grant program for the purposes of providing community-based behavioral health services, including (1) care coordination services, and (2) access to information on and referrals to, available health care and social service programs.
Such services shall be provided by organizations that provide acute care and emergency behavioral health services.
The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services shall establish eligibility criteria for grants under the program and an application process.

(b)Grants [shall]may be issued under the program for the purposes of providing community-based behavioral health services, including (1) care coordination services, and (2) access to information on, and referrals to, available health care and social service programs.

Sec.
66.
Subsections (c) and (d) of section 10-264l of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(c)(1)The maximum amount each interdistrict magnet school program, except those described in subparagraphs (A) to (G), inclusive, of subdivision (3) of this subsection, shall be eligible to receive per enrolled student who is not a resident of the town operating the magnet school shall be (A) six thousand sixteen dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, (B) six thousand seven hundred thirty dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, to June 30, 2012, inclusive, and (C) seven thousand eighty-five dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, and each fiscal year thereafter.
The per pupil grant for each enrolled student who is a resident of the town operating the magnet school program shall be three thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, and each fiscal year thereafter.

(2)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2003, and each fiscal year thereafter, the commissioner may, within available appropriations, provide supplemental grants for the purposes of enhancing educational programs in such interdistrict magnet schools, as the commissioner determines.
Such grants shall be made after the commissioner has conducted a comprehensive financial review and approved the total operating budget for such schools, including all revenue and expenditure estimates.

(3)(A)Except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of this subdivision, each interdistrict magnet school operated by a regional educational service center that enrolls less than fifty-five per cent of the school's students from a single town shall receive a per pupil grant in the amount of (i) six thousand two hundred fifty dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, (ii) six thousand five hundred dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, (iii) seven thousand sixty dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, (iv) seven thousand six hundred twenty dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, to June 30, 2012, inclusive, and (v) seven thousand nine hundred dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, and each fiscal year thereafter.

(B)Except as otherwise provided in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of this subdivision, each interdistrict magnet school operated by a regional educational service center that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent of the school's students from a single town shall receive a per pupil grant for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent of the school's students in the amount of (i) six thousand sixteen dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, (ii) six thousand seven hundred thirty dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2009, to June 30, 2012, inclusive, and (iii) seven thousand eighty-five dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, and each fiscal year thereafter.
The per pupil grant for each enrolled student who is a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent of the school's students shall be three thousand dollars.

(C)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, and each fiscal year thereafter, each interdistrict magnet school operated by a regional educational service center that began operations for the school year commencing July 1, 2001, and that for the school year commencing July 1, 2008, enrolled at least fifty-five per cent, but no more than eighty per cent of the school's students from a single town shall receive a per pupil grant (i) for each enrolled student who is a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but no more than eighty per cent of the school's students, up to an amount equal to the total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount of eight thousand one hundred eighty dollars, (ii) for each enrolled student who is a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but not more than eighty per cent of the school's students, in an amount greater than the total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount of three thousand dollars, (iii) for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but no more than eighty per cent of the school's students, up to an amount equal to the total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount of eight thousand one hundred eighty dollars, and (iv) for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the district that enrolls at least fifty-five per cent, but not more than eighty per cent of the school's students, in an amount greater than the total number of such enrolled students as of October 1, 2013, using the data of record, in the amount of seven thousand eighty-five dollars.

(D)(i)Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (D)(ii) of this subparagraph, each interdistrict magnet school operated by (I) a regional educational service center, (II) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (III) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (IV) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (V) the board of governors for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent institution of higher education, except as otherwise provided in subparagraph (E) of this subdivision, (VI) cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a, (VII) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner, and (VIII) the Hartford school district for the operation of Great Path Academy on behalf of Manchester Community College, that enrolls less than sixty per cent of its students from Hartford pursuant to the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, or the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, shall receive a per pupil grant in the amount of nine thousand six hundred ninety-five dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and ten thousand four hundred forty-three dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2017, inclusive.

(ii)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, any interdistrict magnet school described in subparagraph (D)(i) of this subparagraph that enrolls less than fifty per cent of its incoming students from Hartford shall receive a per pupil grant in the amount of seven thousand nine hundred dollars for one-half of the total number of non-Hartford students enrolled in the school over fifty per cent of the total school enrollment and shall receive a per pupil grant in the amount of ten thousand four hundred forty-three dollars for the remainder of the total school enrollment.

(E)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, and each fiscal year thereafter, each interdistrict magnet school operated by the board of governors for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent institution of higher education, that (i) began operations for the school year commencing July 1, 2014, (ii) enrolls less than sixty per cent of its students from Hartford pursuant to the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, or the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, and (iii) enrolls students at least half-time, shall be eligible to receive a per pupil grant (I) equal to sixty-five per cent of the grant amount determined pursuant to subparagraph (D) of this subdivision for each student who is enrolled at such school for at least two semesters in each school year, and (II) equal to thirty-two and one-half per cent of the grant amount determined pursuant to subparagraph (D) of this subdivision for each student who is enrolled at such school for one semester in each school year.

(F)Each interdistrict magnet school operated by a local or regional board of education, pursuant to the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, or the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, shall receive a per pupil grant for each enrolled student who is not a resident of the district in the amount of (i) twelve thousand dollars for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, and (ii) thirteen thousand fifty-four dollars for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2011, to June 30, 2017, inclusive.

(G)In addition to the grants described in subparagraph (E) of this subdivision, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, the commissioner may, subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the Finance Advisory Committee, established pursuant to section 4-93, provide supplemental grants to the Hartford school district of up to one thousand fifty-four dollars for each student enrolled at an interdistrict magnet school operated by the Hartford school district who is not a resident of such district.

(H)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, the half-day Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts interdistrict magnet school operated by the Capital Region Education Council shall be eligible to receive a per pupil grant equal to sixty-five per cent of the per pupil grant specified in subparagraph (A) of this subdivision.

(I)For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, to June 30, 2018, inclusive, the half-day Greater Hartford Academy of Mathematics and Science interdistrict magnet school operated by the Capitol Region Education Council shall be eligible to receive a per pupil grant equal to six thousand seven hundred eighty-seven dollars for (i) students enrolled in grades ten to twelve, inclusive, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, (ii) students enrolled in grades eleven and twelve for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, and (iii) students enrolled in grade twelve for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, the half-day Greater Hartford Academy of Mathematics and Science interdistrict magnet school shall not be eligible for any additional grants pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.

(4)[The amounts of the grants determined pursuant to this subsection shall be proportionately adjusted, if necessary, within available appropriations, and in no case shall any grant pursuant to this section exceed the reasonable operating budget of the interdistrict magnet school program, less revenues from other sources.
]For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2015, [to June 30, 2017, inclusive]and June 30, 2016, the department may limit payment to an interdistrict magnet school operator to an amount equal to the grant that such magnet school operator was eligible to receive based on the enrollment level of the interdistrict magnet school program on October 1, 2013.
Approval of funding for enrollment above such enrollment level shall be prioritized by the department as follows:
(A) Increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that is adding planned new grade levels for the school years commencing July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016;
(B) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that added planned new grade levels for the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and was funded during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015;
(C) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that is moving into a permanent facility for the school years commencing July 1, 2014, to July 1, 2016, inclusive;
(D) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program to ensure compliance with subsection (a) of this section;
and (E) new enrollments for a new interdistrict magnet school program commencing operations on or after July 1, 2014, pursuant to the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended.
Any interdistrict magnet school program operating less than full-time, but at least half-time, shall be eligible to receive a grant equal to sixty-five per cent of the grant amount determined pursuant to this subsection.

(5) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, the department may limit payment to an interdistrict magnet school operator to an amount equal to the grant that such magnet school operator was eligible to receive based on the enrollment level of the interdistrict magnet school program on October 1, 2013, or October 1, 2015, whichever is lower. Approval of funding for enrollment above such enrollment level shall be prioritized by the department as follows: (A) Increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that is adding planned new grade levels for the school years commencing July 1, 2015, and July 1, 2016; (B) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that added planned new grade levels for the school year commencing July 1, 2014, and was funded during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015; (C) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program that added planned new grade levels for the school year commencing July 1, 2015, and was funded during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016; and (D) increases in enrollment in an interdistrict magnet school program to ensure compliance with subsection (a) of this section. Any interdistrict magnet school program operating less than full-time, but at least half-time, shall be eligible to receive a grant equal to sixty-five per cent of the grant amount determined pursuant to this subsection.

[(5)](6)Within available appropriations, the commissioner may make grants to the following entities that operate an interdistrict magnet school that assists the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, as determined by the commissioner and that provide academic support programs and summer school educational programs approved by the commissioner to students participating in such interdistrict magnet school program:
(A) Regional educational service centers, (B) local and regional boards of education, (C) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (D) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (E) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (F) the board of governors for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent institution of higher education, (G) cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a, and (H) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner.

[(6)](7)Within available appropriations, the Commissioner of Education may make grants, in an amount not to exceed seventy-five thousand dollars, for start-up costs associated with the development of new interdistrict magnet school programs that assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, as determined by the commissioner, to the following entities that develop such a program:
(A) Regional educational service centers, (B) local and regional boards of education, (C) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college, (D) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on behalf of a state university, (E) the Board of Trustees for The University of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (F) the board of governors for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on behalf of the independent institution of higher education, (G) cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a, and (H) any other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the commissioner.

(8) The amounts of the grants determined pursuant to this subsection shall be proportionately adjusted, if necessary, within available appropriations, and in no case shall any grant pursuant to this section exceed the reasonable operating budget of the interdistrict magnet school program, less revenues from other sources.

(d)(1)Grants made pursuant to this section, except those made pursuant to subdivision [(6)](7) of subsection (c) of this section and subdivision (2) of this subsection, shall be paid as follows:
Seventy per cent not later than September first and the balance not later than May first of each fiscal year.
The May first payment shall be adjusted to reflect actual interdistrict magnet school program enrollment as of the preceding October first using the data of record as of the intervening March first, if the actual level of enrollment is lower than the projected enrollment stated in the approved grant application.
The May first payment shall be further adjusted for the difference between the total grant received by the magnet school operator in the prior fiscal year and the revised total grant amount calculated for the prior fiscal year in cases where the aggregate financial audit submitted by the interdistrict magnet school operator pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (n) of this section indicates an overpayment by the department.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section to the contrary, grants made pursuant to this section may be paid to each interdistrict magnet school operator as an aggregate total of the amount that the interdistrict magnet schools operated by each such operator are eligible to receive under this section. Each interdistrict magnet school operator may distribute such aggregate grant among the interdistrict magnet school programs that such operator is operating pursuant to a distribution plan approved by the Commissioner of Education.

(2)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year thereafter, grants made pursuant to subparagraph (E) of subdivision (3) of subsection (c) of this section shall be paid as follows:
Fifty per cent of the amount not later than September first based on estimated student enrollment for the first semester on September first, and another fifty per cent not later than May first of each fiscal year based on actual student enrollment for the second semester on February first.
The May first payment shall be adjusted to reflect actual interdistrict magnet school program enrollment for those students who have been enrolled at such school for at least two semesters of the school year, using the data of record, and actual student enrollment for those students who have been enrolled at such school for only one semester, using data of record.
The May first payment shall be further adjusted for the difference between the total grant received by the magnet school operator in the prior fiscal year and the revised total grant amount calculated for the prior fiscal year where the financial audit submitted by the interdistrict magnet school operator pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (n) of this section indicates an overpayment by the department.

Sec.
67.
Section 1-300 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is established the Office of Governmental Accountability.
The executive administrator of the office shall serve as the administrative head of the office, who shall be appointed in accordance with the provisions of section 1-301, as amended by this act.

(b)The Office of Governmental Accountability shall provide personnel, payroll, affirmative action and administrative and business office functions and information technology associated with such functions for the following:
The [Office of State Ethics established under section 1-80, State Elections Enforcement Commission established under section 9-7a, Freedom of Information Commission established under section 1-205,] Judicial Review Council established under section 51-51k, Judicial Selection Commission established under section 51-44a, Board of Firearms Permit Examiners established under section 29-32b, Office of the Child Advocate established under section 46a-13k, Office of the Victim Advocate established under section 46a-13b and State Contracting Standards Board established under section 4e-2.
The personnel, payroll, affirmative action and administrative and business office functions of said offices, [commissions]commission, council and boards shall be merged and consolidated within the Office of Governmental Accountability.[pursuant to the plan developed and implemented under the provisions of section 1-302.
]

(c)The executive administrator may employ necessary staff to carry out the administrative functions of the Office of Governmental Accountability, within available appropriations.
Such necessary staff of the Office of Governmental Accountability shall be in classified service.

(d)Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect or limit the independent decision-making authority of the [Office of State Ethics, State Elections Enforcement Commission, the Freedom of Information Commission,] Judicial Review Council, Judicial Selection Commission, Board of Firearms Permit Examiners, Office of the Child Advocate, Office of the Victim Advocate or the State Contracting Standards Board.
Such decision-making authority includes, but is not limited to, decisions concerning budgetary issues and concerning the employment of necessary staff to carry out the statutory duties of each such office, commission, council or board.

Sec.
68.
Section 1-301 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) (1) There shall be a Governmental Accountability Commission, within the Office of Governmental Accountability established under section 1-300, as amended by this act, that shall consist of [nine]six members as follows:
(A) [The chairperson of the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board established under section 1-80, or the chairperson's designee;
(B) the chairperson of the State Elections Enforcement Commission established under section 9-7a, or the chairperson's designee;
(C) the chairperson of the Freedom of Information Commission established under section 1-205, or the chairperson's designee;
(D)] the executive director of the Judicial Review Council established under section 51-51k, or the executive director's designee;
[(E)](B) the chairperson of the Judicial Selection Commission established under section 51-44a, or the chairperson's designee;
[(F)](C) the chairperson of the Board of Firearms Permit Examiners established under section 29-32b, or the chairperson's designee;
[(G)](D) the Child Advocate appointed under section 46a-13k, or the advocate's designee;
[(H)](E) the Victim Advocate appointed under section 46a-13b, or the advocate's designee;
and [(I)](F) the chairperson of the State Contracting Standards Board established under section 4e-2, or the chairperson's designee, provided no person serving as a designee under this subsection may be a state employee.
The Governmental Accountability Commission shall select a chairperson who shall preside at meetings of the commission.
Said commission shall meet for the purpose of making recommendations to the Governor for candidates for the executive administrator of the Office of Governmental Accountability pursuant to the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, or for the purpose of terminating the employment of the executive administrator.

(2)The commission established under subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not be construed to be a board or commission within the meaning of section 4-9a.

(b)(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection concerning deadlines for recommendations for and appointment of an executive administrator of the Office of Governmental Accountability, not later than September 1, 2011, the Governor, with the approval of the General Assembly pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection, shall appoint a person as the executive administrator of the Office of Governmental Accountability established under section 1-300, as amended by this act.
Such person shall be qualified by training and experience to perform the administrative duties of the office.
The initial appointment shall be made from a list prepared by the Governmental Accountability Commission pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, except in the case of such initial appointment, such list shall be of not fewer than three persons.
Not later than August 1, 2011, the commission shall submit such list to the Governor.
If the Governmental Accountability Commission has not submitted such list to the Governor on or before August 1, 2011, then on or after August 2, 2011, the Governor shall appoint an acting executive administrator who shall serve until a successor is appointed and confirmed in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(2)Upon any vacancy in the position of executive administrator of the Office of Governmental Accountability, the commission shall meet to consider and interview successor candidates and shall submit to the Governor a list of not fewer than five and not more than seven of the most outstanding candidates, not later than sixty days after the occurrence of said vacancy.
Such list shall rank the candidates in the order of commission preference.
Upon receipt of the list of candidates from the commission, the Governor shall designate a candidate for the executive administrator of the Office of Governmental Accountability from among the choices not later than eight weeks after receiving such list.
If at any time any candidate withdraws from consideration prior to confirmation by the General Assembly pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection, the Governor shall designate a candidate from the remaining candidates on the list.

(3)The candidate designated by the Governor, or if, not later than eight weeks after receiving such list, the Governor fails to designate a candidate on the list, the candidate ranked first on the list, shall be referred to either house of the General Assembly for confirmation.
If such house of the General Assembly is not in session, the referred candidate shall serve as acting executive administrator and be entitled to the compensation and shall carry out the duties of the executive administrator until such house meets to take action on said appointment.
The person appointed executive administrator shall serve for a term of four years and may be reappointed or shall continue to hold office until such person's successor is appointed and qualified.
The Governmental Accountability Commission may terminate the term of an executive administrator in accordance with the provisions of this section.

Sec.
69.
Subsection (a) of section 1-80 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There shall be established [, within the Office of Governmental Accountability established under section 1-300,] an Office of State Ethics.
Said office shall consist of an executive director, general counsel, ethics enforcement officer and such other staff as hired by the executive director.
Within the Office of State Ethics, there shall be the Citizen's Ethics Advisory Board that shall consist of nine members, appointed as follows:
One member shall be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one member by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one member by the majority leader of the Senate, one member by the minority leader of the Senate, one member by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, one member by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and three members by the Governor.
Members of the board first appointed for a term commencing October 1, 2005, shall have the following terms:
The Governor shall appoint two members for a term of three years and one member for a term of four years;
the majority leader of the House of Representatives, minority leader of the House of Representatives and the speaker of the House of Representatives shall each appoint one member for a term of two years;
and the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the Senate shall each appoint one member for a term of four years.
The term commencing October 1, 2009, for the member appointed by the Governor and the member appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate shall be five years.
Upon the expiration of such members' five-year terms, such members may not be reappointed.
Any member appointed for a term commencing on or after October 1, 2014, shall serve for a term of four years.
No individual shall be appointed to more than one four-year or five-year term as a member of the board, provided, members may not continue in office after their term has expired and members first appointed may not be reappointed.
No more than five members shall be members of the same political party.
The members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate and the majority leader of the House of Representatives shall be selected from a list of nominees proposed by a citizen group having an interest in ethical government.
The majority leader of the Senate and the majority leader of the House of Representatives shall each determine the citizen group from which each will accept such nominations.
One member appointed by the Governor shall be selected from a list of nominees proposed by a citizen group having an interest in ethical government.
The Governor shall determine the citizen group from which the Governor will accept such nominations.

Sec.
70.
Section 1-81a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the appropriations recommended for the [division of the] Office of State Ethics [within the Office of Governmental Accountability established under section 1-300, which division shall have a separate line item within the budget for the Office of Governmental Accountability,] shall be the estimates of expenditure requirements transmitted to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management by the executive [administrator]director of the Office of [Governmental Accountability]State Ethics and the recommended adjustments and revisions of such estimates shall be the recommended adjustments and revisions, if any, transmitted by said executive [administrator]director to the Office of Policy and Management.

(b)Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Governor shall not reduce allotment requisitions or allotments in force concerning the Office of State Ethics.

Sec.
71.
Subsection (a) of section 1-205 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There shall be established [, within the Office of Governmental Accountability established under section 1-300,]a Freedom of Information Commission consisting of nine members.
(1) Five of such members shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of either house of the General Assembly.
Such members shall serve for terms of four years from July first of the year of their appointment, except that of the members appointed prior to and serving on July 1, 1977, one shall serve for a period of six years from July 1, 1975, one shall serve for a period of four years from July 1, 1975, and one shall serve for a period of six years from July 1, 1977.
Of the two new members first appointed by the Governor after July 1, 1977, one shall serve from the date of such appointment until June 30, 1980, and one shall serve from the date of such appointment until June 30, 1982.
(2) On and after July 1, 2011, four members of the commission shall be appointed as follows:
One by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one by the minority leader of the Senate, one by the speaker of the House of Representatives and one by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
Such members shall serve for terms of two years from July first of the year of their appointment.
(3) No more than five members of the commission shall be members of the same political party.
Any vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled by the appointing authority for the unexpired portion of the term.

Sec.
72.
Section 1-205a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the appropriations recommended for the [division of the] Freedom of Information Commission [within the Office of Governmental Accountability established under section 1-300, which division shall have a separate line item within the budget for the Office of Governmental Accountability,] shall be the estimates of expenditure requirements transmitted to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management by the executive [administrator]director of the [Office of Governmental Accountability]commission and the recommended adjustments and revisions of such estimates shall be the recommended adjustments and revisions, if any, transmitted by said executive [administrator]director to the Office of Policy and Management.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Governor shall not reduce allotment requisitions or allotments in force concerning the Freedom of Information Commission.

Sec.
73.
Subsection (a) of section 9-7a of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is established [, within the Office of Governmental Accountability established under section 1-300,] a State Elections Enforcement Commission to consist of five members, not more than two of whom shall be members of the same political party and at least one of whom shall not be affiliated with any political party.

(1)Of the members first appointed under this subsection, one shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives and shall hold office for a term of one year from July 1, 1974;
one shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate and shall hold office for a term of three years from said July first;
one shall be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives and shall hold office for a term of one year from said July first;
one shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and shall hold office for a term of three years from said July first and one shall be appointed by the Governor, provided such member shall not be affiliated with any political party, and shall hold office for a term of five years from said July first, except members appointed on or after July 1, 2011.

(2)On and after July 1, 2011, members shall be appointed for terms of three years from July first in the year of their appointment and shall be appointed by the person holding the same office as was held by the person making the original appointment, provided any person chosen to fill a vacancy shall be appointed only for the unexpired term of the member whom he or she shall succeed.
On and after July 1, 2011, no member may serve more than two consecutive terms, except that any member serving on said date, may serve until a successor is appointed and has qualified.
All appointments shall be made with the consent of the state Senate and House of Representatives.
No person who has served during any part of the three-year period prior to the appointment as a political party officer, shall be appointed to membership on the commission.
For purposes of this subsection, "political party officer" means an officer of a national committee of a political party, state central or town committee.
The commission shall elect one of its members to serve as chairperson and another member to serve as vice-chairperson.
Each member of the commission shall be compensated at the rate of two hundred dollars per day for any day on which he participates in a regular commission meeting or hearing, and shall be paid by the state for his reasonable expenses, including necessary stenographic and clerical help.

Sec.
74.
Section 9-7c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the appropriations recommended for [the division of] the State Elections Enforcement Commission [within the Office of Governmental Accountability established under section 1-300, which division shall have a separate line item within the budget for the Office of Governmental Accountability,] shall be the estimates of expenditure requirements transmitted to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management by the executive [administrator]director of the [Office of Governmental Accountability]commission and the recommended adjustments and revisions of such estimates shall be the recommended adjustments and revisions, if any, transmitted by said executive [administrator]director to the Office of Policy and Management.

(b)Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Governor shall not reduce allotment requisitions or allotments in force concerning the State Elections Enforcement Commission.

Sec.
75.
(Effective from passage) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, on June 30, 2016, the Office of Legislative Management shall transfer the balance of the funds in the separate non-lapsing account of the General Fund entitled Old State House (Private Funds) to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection in an account entitled Old State House (Private Funds) to be used for the operations and management of the Old State House.

Sec.
76.
Section 20-280 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There shall be a State Board of Accountancy which shall consist of nine members, to be appointed by the Governor, all of whom shall be residents of this state, five of whom shall hold current, valid licenses to practice public accountancy and four of whom shall be public members.
Any persons serving on the board prior to October 1, 1992, shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed.
Whenever an appointment of a licensee to the state board is to be made, the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants shall submit to the Governor the names of five persons qualified for membership on the board and the Governor shall appoint one of such persons to said board, subject to the provisions of section 4-10.
The Governor shall select a chairperson pursuant to section 4-9a.
The term of each member of the board shall be coterminous with that of the Governor.
Vacancies occurring during a term shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the unexpired portion of the term.
Upon the expiration of a member's term of office, such member shall continue to serve until his successor has been appointed.
Any member of the board whose license under section 20-281d is revoked or suspended shall automatically cease to be a member of the board.
No person who has served two successive complete terms shall be eligible for reappointment to the board.
Appointment to fill an unexpired term shall not be considered to be a complete term.
Any member who, without just cause, fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall not be eligible for reappointment.

(b)The board shall meet at such times and places as may be fixed by the board and shall meet at least once in every quarter of a calendar year.
A majority of the board members then serving shall constitute a quorum at any meeting duly called.
The board shall have a seal which shall be judicially noticed.
The board shall maintain a registry of the names and addresses of all licensees and registrants under sections 20-279b to 20-281m, inclusive, and shall have responsibility for the administration and enforcement of said sections.

(c)[Each member of the board shall be reimbursed for his actual and necessary expenses incurred in the discharge of his official duties.
]The Department of Consumer Protection shall provide office space for the board. Members shall not be compensated for their services and, notwithstanding the provisions of section 21a-7, shall not be reimbursed for necessary expenses.

(d)The board shall annually cause to be printed a directory which shall contain the names, arranged alphabetically, of all licensees and registrants under sections 20-279b to 20-281m, inclusive.

(e)[The board may recommend and the Secretary of the State may employ, subject to the provisions of chapter 67, such personnel as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of sections 20-279b to 20-281m, inclusive.
The board may enter into such contractual agreements as may be necessary for the discharge of its duties, within the limit of its appropriated funds and in accordance with established procedures, as it deems necessary in its administration and enforcement of said sections.
It may appoint committees or persons to advise or assist the board in such administration and enforcement as it may see fit.
] Said board shall be within the [office of the Secretary of the State]Department of Consumer Protection.

(f)The board shall have the power to take all action that is necessary and proper to effectuate the purposes of sections 20-279b to 20-281m, inclusive, including the power to issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents;
to administer oaths;
to take testimony and to receive evidence concerning all matters within its jurisdiction.
In case of disobedience of a subpoena, the board may invoke the aid of any court of this state in requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence.
The board, its members, and its agents shall be immune from personal liability for actions taken in good faith in the discharge of the board's responsibilities, and the state shall indemnify and hold harmless the board, its members, and its agents from all costs, damages, and attorneys' fees arising from claims and suits against them with respect to matters to which such immunity applies.

(g)The board may adopt [rules]regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, governing its administration and enforcement of sections 20-279b to 20-281m, inclusive, and the conduct of licensees and registrants, including, but not limited to:

(1)Regulations governing the board's meetings and the conduct of its business;

(2)Regulations concerning procedures governing the conduct of investigations and hearings by the board;

(3)Regulations specifying the educational qualifications required for the issuance of certificates under section 20-281c, the experience required for initial issuance of certificates under section 20-281c and the continuing professional education required for renewal of licenses under subsection (e) of section 20-281d;

(4)Regulations concerning professional conduct directed to controlling the quality and probity of the practice of public accountancy by licensees, and dealing among other things with independence, integrity, objectivity, competence, technical standards, responsibilities to the public and responsibilities to clients;

(5)Regulations specifying actions and circumstances that shall be deemed to constitute holding oneself out as a licensee in connection with the practice of public accountancy;

(6)Regulations governing the manner and circumstances of use by holders of certificates who do not also hold licenses under sections 20-279b to 20-281m, inclusive, of the titles "certified public accountant" and "CPA";

(7)Regulations regarding quality reviews that may be required to be performed under the provisions of sections 20-279b to 20-281m, inclusive;

(8)Regulations implementing the provisions of section 20-281l, including, but not limited to, specifying the terms of any disclosure required by subsection (d) of said section 20-281l, the manner in which such disclosure is made and any other requirements the board imposes with regard to such disclosure.
Such regulations shall require that any disclosure:
(A) Be in writing and signed by the recipient of the product or service;
(B) be clear and conspicuous;
(C) state the amount of the commission or the basis on which the commission will be calculated;
(D) identify the source of the payment of the commission and the relationship between such source and the person receiving payment;
and (E) be presented to the client at or prior to the time the recommendation of the product or service is made;

(9)Regulations establishing the due date for any fee charged pursuant to sections 20-281c, 20-281d and 20-281e.
Such regulations may establish the amount and due date of a late fee charged for the failure to remit payment of any fee charged pursuant to sections 20-281c, 20-281d and 20-281e;
and

(10)Such other regulations as the board may deem necessary or appropriate for implementing the provisions and the purposes of sections 20-279b to 20-281m, inclusive.

Sec.
77.
Section 21a-6 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

The following boards shall be within the Department of Consumer Protection:

(12)The State Board of Examiners of Shorthand Reporters established under chapter 400l;

(13)The Liquor Control Commission established under chapter 545;

(14)Repealed by P.
A.
06-187, S.
99, effective October 1, 2006;

(15)The Home Inspection Licensing Board established under section 20-490a; and

(16) The State Board of Accountancy established under section 20-280, as amended by this act.

Sec.
78.
Subsection (b) of section 2-36b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)On or before November fifteenth, annually, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and the director of the legislative Office of Fiscal Analysis shall each submit the following to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and finance, revenue and bonding:
(1) [A]For the current biennium and the next ensuing three fiscal years, a consensus estimate of state revenues developed in accordance with subsection (a) of section 2-36c, an estimate of [expenditures and ending balance for each fund, for the current biennium and the next ensuing three fiscal years, and the assumptions on which such estimates are based]the level of expenditure change from current year expenditures allowable by consensus revenue estimates in each fund, any changes to current year expenditures necessitated by fixed cost drivers, and the aggregate changes to current year expenditures required to accommodate fixed cost drivers without exceeding current revenue estimates;
(2) the projected tax credits to be used in the current biennium and the next ensuing three fiscal years, and the assumptions on which such projections are based;
(3) a summary of any estimated deficiencies in the current fiscal year, the reasons for such deficiencies, and the assumptions upon which such estimates are based;
(4) the projected balance in the Budget Reserve Fund at the end of each uncompleted fiscal year of the current biennium and the next ensuing three fiscal years;
(5) the projected bond authorizations, allocations and issuances in each of the next ensuing five fiscal years and their impact on the debt service of the major funds of the state;
(6) an analysis of revenue and expenditure trends and of the major cost drivers affecting state spending, including identification of any areas of concern and efforts undertaken to address such areas, including, but not limited to, efforts to obtain federal funds;
and (7) an analysis of possible uses of surplus funds, including, but not limited to, the Budget Reserve Fund, debt retirement and funding of pension liabilities.
For purposes of this section, "fixed cost drivers" may include costs related to debt service, pension contributions, retiree health care, entitlement programs and federal mandates.

Sec.
79.
Section 46a-33b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

Upon the request of any person or any public or private entity, the Department of Rehabilitation Services [shall]may provide interpreting services to assist such person or entity to the extent such persons who provide interpreting services are available.
Any person or entity receiving interpreting services through the department shall reimburse the department for such services at a rate set by the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services.
The commissioner shall adopt regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 to establish the manner of rate setting.

Sec.
80.
Subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 10-295 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

Sec.
81.
Section 12-129d of the general statutes is amended by adding subsection (c) as follows (Effective July 1, 2016):

(NEW) (c) The amount of state payment to each municipality as reimbursement for the revenue loss related to the tax relief given to individuals pursuant to 12-129b shall be reduced proportionately in the event that the total amount payable to all municipalities for this program exceeds the amount appropriated.

Sec.
82.
Subsection (a) of section 12-170f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) Any renter, believing himself or herself to be entitled to a grant under section 12-170d for any calendar year, shall apply for such grant to the assessor of the municipality in which the renter resides or to the duly authorized agent of such assessor or municipality on or after April first and not later than October first of each year with respect to such grant for the calendar year preceding each such year, on a form prescribed and furnished by the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management to the assessor.
A renter may apply to the secretary prior to December fifteenth of the claim year for an extension of the application period.
The secretary may grant such extension in the case of extenuating circumstance due to illness or incapacitation as evidenced by a certificate signed by a physician or an advanced practice registered nurse to that extent, or if the secretary determines there is good cause for doing so.
A renter making such application shall present to such assessor or agent, in substantiation of the renter's application, a copy of the renter's federal income tax return, and if not required to file a federal income tax return, such other evidence of qualifying income, receipts for money received, or cancelled checks, or copies thereof, and any other evidence the assessor or such agent may require.
When the assessor or agent is satisfied that the applying renter is entitled to a grant, such assessor or agent shall issue a certificate of grant, in triplicate, in such form as the secretary may prescribe and supply showing the amount of the grant due.
The assessor or agent shall forward the original copy and attached application to the secretary not later than the last day of the month following the month in which the renter has made application.
Any municipality that neglects to transmit to the secretary the claim and supporting applications as required by this section shall forfeit two hundred fifty dollars to the state, provided the secretary may waive such forfeiture in accordance with procedures and standards adopted by regulation in accordance with chapter 54.
A duplicate of such certificate with a copy of the application attached shall be delivered to the renter and the assessor or agent shall keep the third copy of such certificate and a copy of the application.
After the secretary's review of each claim, pursuant to section 12-120b, and verification of the amount of the grant, the secretary shall make a determination of any per cent reduction to all claims that will be necessary to keep within available appropriations and, not later than September thirtieth of each year prepare a list of certificates approved for payment, and shall thereafter supplement such list monthly.
Such list and any supplements thereto shall be approved for payment by the secretary and shall be forwarded by the secretary to the Comptroller, along with a notice of any necessary per cent reduction in claim amounts, not later than one hundred twenty days after receipt of such applications and certificates of grant from the assessor or agent, and the Comptroller shall draw an order on the Treasurer, not later than fifteen days following, in favor of each person on such list and on supplements to such list in the amount of such person's claim, minus any per cent reduction noticed by the secretary pursuant to this subsection, and the Treasurer shall pay such amount to such person, not later than fifteen days following.
If the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management determines a renter was overpaid for such grant, the amount of any subsequent grant paid to the renter under section 12-170d after such determination shall be reduced by the amount of overpayment until the overpayment has been recouped.
Any claimant aggrieved by the results of the secretary's review or determination shall have the rights of appeal as set forth in section 12-120b.
Applications filed under this section shall not be open for public inspection.
Any person who, for the purpose of obtaining a grant under section 12-170d, wilfully fails to disclose all matters related thereto or with intent to defraud makes false statement shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars.

Sec.
83.
Subsection (a) of section 12-19a of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2015):

(a) Until the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2016, on or before January first, annually, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall determine the amount due, as a state grant in lieu of taxes, to each town in this state wherein state-owned real property, reservation land held in trust by the state for an Indian tribe,[or] a municipally owned airport, or any airport owned by the Connecticut Airport Authority, other than Bradley International Airport, except that which was acquired and used for highways and bridges, but not excepting property acquired and used for highway administration or maintenance purposes, is located.
The grant payable to any town under the provisions of this section in the state fiscal year commencing July 1, 1999, and each fiscal year thereafter, shall be equal to the total of (1) (A) one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to any facility designated by the Commissioner of Correction, on or before August first of each year, to be a correctional facility administered under the auspices of the Department of Correction or a juvenile detention center under direction of the Department of Children and Families that was used for incarcerative purposes during the preceding fiscal year.
If a list containing the name and location of such designated facilities and information concerning their use for purposes of incarceration during the preceding fiscal year is not available from the Secretary of the State on the first day of August of any year, said commissioner shall, on said first day of August, certify to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management a list containing such information, (B) one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to that portion of the John Dempsey Hospital located at The University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington that is used as a permanent medical ward for prisoners under the custody of the Department of Correction.
Nothing in this section shall be construed as designating any portion of The University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey Hospital as a correctional facility, and (C) in the state fiscal year commencing July 1, 2001, and each fiscal year thereafter, one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid on any land designated within the 1983 Settlement boundary and taken into trust by the federal government for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation on or after June 8, 1999, (2) subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, sixty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to the buildings and grounds comprising Connecticut Valley Hospital in Middletown.
Such grant shall commence with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2000, and continuing each year thereafter, (3) notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (b) and (c) of this section, with respect to any town in which more than fifty per cent of the property is state-owned real property, one hundred per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to such state-owned property.
Such grant shall commence with the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and continuing each year thereafter, (4) subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, forty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to all other state-owned real property, (5) forty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to all municipally owned airports [;
]or any airport owned by the Connecticut Airport Authority, other than Bradley International Airport, except for the exemption applicable to such property, on the assessment list in such town for the assessment date two years prior to the commencement of the state fiscal year in which such grant is payable.
The grant provided pursuant to this section for any municipally owned airport or any airport owned by the Connecticut Airport Authority, other than Bradley International Airport, shall be paid to any municipality in which the airport is located, except that the grant applicable to Sikorsky Airport shall be paid half to the town of Stratford and half to the city of Bridgeport, and (6) forty-five per cent of the property taxes which would have been paid with respect to any land designated within the 1983 Settlement boundary and taken into trust by the federal government for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation prior to June 8, 1999, or taken into trust by the federal government for the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut, provided (A) the real property subject to this subdivision shall be the land only, and shall not include the assessed value of any structures, buildings or other improvements on such land, and (B) said forty-five per cent grant shall be phased in as follows:
(i) In the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2012, an amount equal to ten per cent of said forty-five per cent grant, (ii) in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2013, thirty-five per cent of said forty-five per cent grant, (iii) in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2014, sixty per cent of said forty-five per cent grant, (iv) in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2015, eighty-five per cent of said forty-five per cent grant, and (v) in the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2016, one hundred per cent of said forty-five per cent grant.

Sec.
84.
Section 10-396 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

With respect to tourism activities, the Department of Economic and Community Development shall:

(1)Develop, annually update and implement a strategic marketing plan for the national and international promotion of Connecticut as a tourism destination;

(2)Develop a Connecticut strategic plan for new tourism products and attractions;

(3)Provide marketing and other assistance to the tourism industry;

(4)Ensure cooperation among the regional tourism districts;

(5)[Maintain]Within available appropriations, maintain, operate and manage the visitor welcome centers in the state;

(6)Develop and administer a program of challenge grants to encourage innovation and job development, provide incentives for coordinated activity consistent with the strategic marketing plan and stimulate the development of private funds for tourism promotion;
and

(7)Subject to available funds, assist municipalities to accommodate tourist attractions within such municipalities or within neighboring or adjoining municipalities.

Sec.
85.
Section 10-399 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) As used in this section:
"Visitor welcome center" means the welcome centers, visitor centers and tourist information centers located in West Willington, Greenwich, Danbury, Darien, North Stonington and Westbrook, which have been established to distribute information to persons traveling in the state for the purpose of influencing such persons' level of satisfaction with the state and expenditures in the state and their planning for present and future trips to the state.

(b)[The]Within available appropriations, the following measures shall be implemented to enhance the operation of visitor welcome centers:

(1)Each center shall make available space for listing events and promoting attractions, by invitation to the Connecticut tourism industry, including tourism districts, chambers of commerce and any other tourism entities involved in Connecticut tourism promotion;

(2)The Department of Economic and Community Development, in consultation with the Department of Transportation, shall develop plans for (A) consistent signage for the visitor welcome centers, and (B) highway signage regulations for privately operated centers;

(3)The Department of Transportation and the Department of Economic and Community Development shall establish an "Adopt A Visitor Welcome Center" program, under which local civic organizations may provide maintenance, gardening, including wildflowers, and complimentary refreshments or any other type of service at a visitor welcome center to enhance the operation of the center;

(4)The Department of Economic and Community Development shall place a full-time year-round supervisor and a part-time assistant supervisor at the Danbury, Darien, North Stonington and West Willington centers.
The responsibilities of each supervisor shall include, but not be limited to:
(A) Maintaining a sufficient inventory of up-to-date brochures for dissemination to visitors, (B) scheduling staff so as to assure coverage at all times, (C) training staff, (D) compiling and maintaining statistics on center usage, (E) serving as liaison between the department, the Department of Transportation, the tourism district in which the center is located and businesses in such district, (F) maintaining quality tourism services, (G) rotating displays, (H) evaluating staff, (I) problem-solving, and (J) computing travel reimbursements for volunteer staff;

(5)Subject to available funds, the Department of Economic and Community Development shall place a seasonal full-time supervisor and a seasonal part-time assistant supervisor at the Greenwich and Westbrook centers.
The department shall discontinue staffing at the Middletown, Plainfield and Wallingford centers, and shall, in conjunction with the tourism industry, seek contract workers to provide tourism services at the Westbrook center when not staffed by the state;

(6)Subject to available funds, the Department of Economic and Community Development, in conjunction with the tourism industry, shall develop and implement initial staff training and conduct periodic training of full-time and part-time supervisors.

Sec.
86.
Subdivision (4) of subsection (a) of section 10-264i of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(4)In addition to the grants otherwise provided pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Education may provide supplemental transportation grants to regional educational service centers for the purposes of transportation to interdistrict magnet schools.
Any such grant shall be provided within available appropriations and after the commissioner has reviewed and approved the total interdistrict magnet school transportation budget for a regional educational service center, including all revenue and expenditure estimates.
[For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, in addition to the grants otherwise provided pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Education, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, may provide supplemental transportation grants to the Hartford school district and the Capitol Region Education Council for the purposes of transportation of students who are not residents of Hartford to interdistrict magnet schools operated by the Capitol Region Education Council or the Hartford school district.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, in addition to the grants otherwise provided pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Education may provide supplemental transportation grants to regional educational service centers for the purposes of transportation to interdistrict magnet schools that assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
Any such grant shall be provided within available appropriations and upon a comprehensive financial review of all transportation activities as prescribed by the commissioner.
The commissioner may require the regional educational service center to provide an independent financial review, by an auditor selected by the Commissioner of Education, the costs of which may be paid from funds that are part of the supplemental transportation grant.
Any such grant shall be paid as follows:
Up to fifty per cent of the grant on or before June 30, 2012, and the balance on or before September 1, 2012, upon completion of the comprehensive financial review.
]For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2013, to June 30, [2015]2016, inclusive, in addition to the grants otherwise provided pursuant to this section, the Commissioner of Education may provide supplemental transportation to interdistrict magnet schools that assist the state in meeting the goals of the 2008 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, or the goals of the 2013 stipulation and order for Milo Sheff, et al.
v.
William A.
O'Neill, et al.
, as extended, and for transportation provided by EASTCONN to interdistrict magnet schools.
Any such grant shall be provided within available appropriations and upon a comprehensive financial review, by an auditor selected by the Commissioner of Education, the costs of such review may be paid from funds that are part of the supplemental transportation grant.
Any such grant shall be paid as follows:
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, up to fifty per cent of the grant on or before June 30, 2013, and the balance on or before September 1, 2013, upon completion of the comprehensive financial review;
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, up to fifty per cent of the grant on or before June 30, 2014, and the balance on or before September 1, 2014, upon completion of the comprehensive financial review;
[and] for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, up to fifty per cent of the grant on or before June 30, 2015, and the balance on or before September 1, 2015, upon completion of the comprehensive financial review; and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, up to fifty per cent of the grant on or before June 30, 2016, and the balance on or before September 1, 2016, upon completion of the comprehensive financial review.

Sec.
87.
Section 17b-239 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective from passage):

[(a) (1) Until the time subdivision (2) of this subsection is effective, the rate to be paid by the state to hospitals receiving appropriations granted by the General Assembly and to freestanding chronic disease hospitals providing services to persons aided or cared for by the state for routine services furnished to state patients, shall be based upon reasonable cost to such hospital, or the charge to the general public for ward services or the lowest charge for semiprivate services if the hospital has no ward facilities, imposed by such hospital, whichever is lowest, except to the extent, if any, that the commissioner determines that a greater amount is appropriate in the case of hospitals serving a disproportionate share of indigent patients.
Such rate shall be promulgated annually by the Commissioner of Social Services within available appropriations.
]

[(2)On or after July 1, 2013,](a) Medicaid rates paid to acute care hospitals, including children's hospitals, shall be based on diagnosis-related groups established and periodically rebased by the Commissioner of Social Services in accordance with 42 USC 1396a(a)(30)(A), provided the Department of Social Services completes a fiscal analysis of the impact of such rate payment system on each hospital.
The commissioner shall, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, file a report on the results of the fiscal analysis not later than six months after implementing the rate payment system with the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies.
Within available appropriations, the commissioner shall annually determine in-patient payments for each hospital by multiplying diagnosis-related group relative weights by a base rate.
Over a period of up to four years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, within available appropriations and at the discretion of the commissioner, the Department of Social Services shall transition hospital-specific, diagnosis-related group base rates to state-wide diagnosis-related group base rates by peer groups determined by the commissioner.
For the purposes of this subsection and subsection (c) of this section, "peer group" means a group comprised of one of the following categories of acute care hospitals:
Privately operated acute care hospitals, publicly operated acute care hospitals, or acute care children's hospitals licensed by the Department of Public Health.
At the discretion of the Commissioner of Social Services, the peer group for privately operated acute care hospitals may be further subdivided into peer groups for privately operated acute care hospitals.
For inpatient hospital services that the Commissioner of Social Services determines are not appropriate for reimbursement based on diagnosis-related groups, the commissioner shall reimburse for such services using any other methodology that complies with 42 USC 1396a(a)(30)(A). Within available appropriations, the commissioner may, in his or her discretion, make additional payments to hospitals based on criteria to be determined by the commissioner.
Upon the conversion to a hospital payment methodology based on diagnosis-related groups, the commissioner shall evaluate payments for all hospital services, including, but not limited to, a review of pediatric psychiatric inpatient units within hospitals.
The commissioner may, within available appropriations, implement a pay-for-performance program for pediatric psychiatric inpatient care.
Nothing contained in this section shall authorize Medicaid payment by the state to any such hospital in excess of the charges made by such hospital for comparable services to the general public.

(b)Effective October 1, 1991, the rate to be paid by the state for the cost of special services rendered by such hospitals shall be established annually by the commissioner for each such hospital [based on the reasonable cost to each hospital of such services furnished to state patients]pursuant to 42 USC 1396a(a)(30)(A) and within available appropriations.
Nothing contained in this subsection shall authorize a payment by the state for such services to any such hospital in excess of the charges made by such hospital for comparable services to the general public.

[(c)The term "reasonable cost" as used in this section means the cost of care furnished such patients by an efficient and economically operated facility, computed in accordance with accepted principles of hospital cost reimbursement.
The commissioner may adjust the rate of payment established under the provisions of this section for the year during which services are furnished to reflect fluctuations in hospital costs within available appropriations.
Such adjustment may be made prospectively to cover anticipated fluctuations or may be made retroactive to any date subsequent to the date of the initial rate determination for such year or in such other manner as may be determined by the commissioner.
In determining "reasonable cost" the commissioner may give due consideration to allowances for fully or partially unpaid bills, reasonable costs mandated by collective bargaining agreements with certified collective bargaining agents or other agreements between the employer and employees, provided "employees" shall not include persons employed as managers or chief administrators, requirements for working capital and cost of development of new services, including additions to and replacement of facilities and equipment.
The commissioner shall not give consideration to amounts paid by the facilities to employees as salary, or to attorneys or consultants as fees, where the responsibility of the employees, attorneys or consultants is to persuade or seek to persuade the other employees of the facility to support or oppose unionization.
Nothing in this subsection shall prohibit the commissioner from considering amounts paid for legal counsel related to the negotiation of collective bargaining agreements, the settlement of grievances or normal administration of labor relations.
]

[(d)](c)(1)Until such time as subdivision (2) of this subsection is effective, the state shall also pay to such hospitals for each outpatient clinic and emergency room visit a [reasonable] rate [to be] established [annually] by the commissioner for each hospital [, such rate to be determined by the reasonable cost of such services]pursuant to 42 USC 1396a(a)(30)(A) and within available appropriations.

(2)On or after July 1, [2013]2016, with the exception of publicly operated psychiatric hospitals, hospitals shall be paid for outpatient and emergency room [episodes of care]services based on prospective rates established by the commissioner within available appropriations and in accordance with [the Medicare Ambulatory Payment Classification]an ambulatory payment classification system,[in conjunction with a state conversion factor,] provided the Department of Social Services completes a fiscal analysis of the impact of such rate payment system on each hospital.
Such ambulatory payment classification system may include one or more peer groups established by the Department of Social Services. The Commissioner of Social Services shall, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, file a report on the results of the fiscal analysis not later than six months after implementing the rate payment system with the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies.
[The Medicare Ambulatory Payment Classification system shall be augmented to provide payment for services not generally covered under the Medicare Ambulatory Payment Classification system, including, but not limited to, mammograms, durable medical equipment, physical, occupational and speech therapy.
] Nothing contained in this subsection shall authorize a payment by the state for such [episodes of care]services to any hospital in excess of the charges made by such hospital for comparable services to the general public.
Effective upon implementation of the [Ambulatory Payment Classification]ambulatory payment classification system, a covered outpatient hospital service that [does not have an established Medicare Ambulatory Payment Classification code]is not being reimbursed using such ambulatory payment classification system shall be paid in accordance with a fee schedule or an alternative payment methodology, as determined by the commissioner.
The commissioner may, within available funding for implementation of the ambulatory payment classification methodology, establish a supplemental pool to provide payments to offset losses incurred, if any, by publicly operated acute care hospitals and acute care children's hospitals licensed by the Department of Public Health as a result of the implementation of the ambulatory payment classification system.Prior to the implementation of the [Ambulatory Payment Classification]ambulatory payment classification system, each hospital's charges shall be based on the charge master in effect as of June 1, 2015.
After implementation of such system, annual increases in each hospital's charge master shall not exceed, in the aggregate, the annual increase in the Medicare economic index.
[The Commissioner of Social Services shall establish a fee schedule for outpatient hospital services to be effective on and after January 1, 1995, and may annually modify such fee schedule if such modification is needed to ensure that the conversion to an administrative services organization is cost neutral to hospitals in the aggregate and ensures patient access.
Utilization may be a factor in determining cost neutrality.
]

[(e) On and after January 1, 2015, and concurrent](d) Concurrent with the implementation of the [diagnosis-related group]ambulatory payment classification methodology of payment to hospitals, an emergency department physician may enroll separately as a Medicaid provider and qualify for direct reimbursement for professional services provided in the emergency department of a hospital to a Medicaid recipient, including services provided on the same day the Medicaid recipient is admitted to the hospital.
The commissioner shall pay to any such emergency department physician the Medicaid rate for physicians in accordance with the applicable physician fee schedule in effect at that time.
If the commissioner determines that payment to an emergency department physician pursuant to this subsection results in an additional cost to the state, the commissioner shall adjust such rate in consultation with the Connecticut Hospital Association and the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians to ensure budget neutrality.

[(f)](e)The commissioner [shall]may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, establishing criteria for defining emergency and nonemergency visits to hospital emergency rooms.
All nonemergency visits to hospital emergency rooms shall be paid [at the hospital's outpatient clinic services rate]in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.
Nothing contained in this subsection or the regulations adopted under this section shall authorize a payment by the state for such services to any hospital in excess of the charges made by such hospital for comparable services to the general public.
To the extent permitted by federal law, the Commissioner of Social Services [shall]may impose cost-sharing requirements under the medical assistance program for nonemergency use of hospital emergency room services.

[(g)](f)The commissioner shall establish rates to be paid to freestanding chronic disease hospitals within available appropriations.

[(h)](g)The Commissioner of Social Services may implement policies and procedures as necessary to carry out the provisions of this section while in the process of adopting the policies and procedures as regulations, provided notice of intent to adopt the regulations is published in accordance with the provisions of section 17b-10 not later than twenty days after the date of implementation.

[(i)](h)In the event the commissioner is unable to implement the provisions of subsection [(e)](d) of this section by January 1, 2015, the commissioner shall submit written notice, not later than thirty-five days prior to January 1, 2015, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies indicating that the department will not be able to implement such provisions on or before such date.
The commissioner shall include in such notice (1) the reasons why the department will not be able to implement such provisions by such date, and (2) the date by which the department will be able to implement such provisions.

[(j) The](i) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, or regulations adopted thereunder, the Department of Social Services is not required to increase rates paid, or to set any rates to be paid to or adjust upward any method of payment to, any hospital based on inflation or based on any inflationary factor, including, but not limited to, any current payments or adjustments that are being made based on dates of service in previous years.
The Department of Social Services shall not increase or adjust upward any rates or method of payment to hospitals based on inflation or based on any inflationary factor unless the approved state budget includes appropriations for such increases or upward adjustments.

Sec.
88.
Subsection (b) of section 17b-263 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective from passage):

(b)Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection [(d)](c) of section 17b-239, as amended by this act, the commissioner shall establish a service-specific fee schedule for hospital outpatient mental health therapy services, except for partial hospitalization and other comprehensive services as defined by the commissioner.
Payment for partial hospitalization services shall be considered payment in full for all outpatient mental health services.

Sec.
89.
Subsections (a) and (b) of section 51-47 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) The judges of the Superior Court, judges of the Appellate Court and judges of the Supreme Court shall receive annually salaries as follows:

(1)On and after July 1, 2014, (A) the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, one hundred ninety-four thousand seven hundred fifty-seven dollars;
(B) the Chief Court Administrator if a judge of the Supreme Court, Appellate Court or Superior Court, one hundred eighty-seven thousand one hundred forty-eight dollars;
(C) each associate judge of the Supreme Court, one hundred eighty thousand two hundred four dollars;
(D) the Chief Judge of the Appellate Court, one hundred seventy-eight thousand two hundred ten dollars;
(E) each judge of the Appellate Court, one hundred sixty-nine thousand two hundred forty-five dollars;
(F) the Deputy Chief Court Administrator if a judge of the Superior Court, one hundred sixty-six thousand one hundred fifty-eight dollars;
(G) each judge of the Superior Court, one hundred sixty-two thousand seven hundred fifty-one dollars.

(2)On and after July 1, 2015, (A) the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, two hundred thousand five hundred ninety-nine dollars;
(B) the Chief Court Administrator if a judge of the Supreme Court, Appellate Court or Superior Court, one hundred ninety-two thousand seven hundred sixty-three dollars;
(C) each associate judge of the Supreme Court, one hundred eighty-five thousand six hundred ten dollars;
(D) the Chief Judge of the Appellate Court, one hundred eighty-three thousand five hundred fifty-six dollars;
(E) each judge of the Appellate Court, one hundred seventy-four thousand three hundred twenty-three dollars;
(F) the Deputy Chief Court Administrator if a judge of the Superior Court, one hundred seventy-one thousand one hundred forty-three dollars;
(G) each judge of the Superior Court, one hundred sixty-seven thousand six hundred thirty-four dollars.

(3)On and after [July 1, 2016]July 1, 2017, (A) the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, two hundred six thousand six hundred seventeen dollars;
(B) the Chief Court Administrator if a judge of the Supreme Court, Appellate Court or Superior Court, one hundred ninety-eight thousand five hundred forty-five dollars;
(C) each associate judge of the Supreme Court, one hundred ninety-one thousand one hundred seventy-eight dollars;
(D) the Chief Judge of the Appellate Court, one hundred eighty-nine thousand sixty-three dollars;
(E) each judge of the Appellate Court, one hundred seventy-nine thousand five hundred fifty-two dollars;
(F) the Deputy Chief Court Administrator if a judge of the Superior Court, one hundred seventy-six thousand two hundred seventy-seven dollars;
(G) each judge of the Superior Court, one hundred seventy-two thousand six hundred sixty-three dollars.

(b)(1)In addition to the salary such judge is entitled to receive under subsection (a) of this section, on and after July 1, 2014, a judge designated as the administrative judge of the appellate system shall receive one thousand one hundred nine dollars in annual salary, each Superior Court judge designated as the administrative judge of a judicial district shall receive one thousand one hundred nine dollars in annual salary and each Superior Court judge designated as the chief administrative judge for facilities, administrative appeals, judicial marshal service or judge trial referees or for the Family, Juvenile, Criminal or Civil Division of the Superior Court shall receive one thousand one hundred nine dollars in annual salary.

(2)In addition to the salary such judge is entitled to receive under subsection (a) of this section, on and after July 1, 2015, a judge designated as the administrative judge of the appellate system shall receive one thousand one hundred forty-two dollars in additional compensation, each Superior Court judge designated as the administrative judge of a judicial district shall receive one thousand one hundred forty-two dollars in additional compensation and each Superior Court judge designated as the chief administrative judge for facilities, administrative appeals, judicial marshal service or judge trial referees or for the Family, Juvenile, Criminal or Civil Division of the Superior Court shall receive one thousand one hundred forty-two dollars in additional compensation.

(3)In addition to the salary such judge is entitled to receive under subsection (a) of this section, on and after [July 1, 2016]July 1, 2017, a judge designated as the administrative judge of the appellate system shall receive one thousand one hundred seventy-seven dollars in additional compensation, each Superior Court judge designated as the administrative judge of a judicial district shall receive one thousand one hundred seventy-seven dollars in additional compensation and each Superior Court judge designated as the chief administrative judge for facilities, administrative appeals, judicial marshal service or judge trial referees or for the Family, Juvenile, Criminal or Civil Division of the Superior Court shall receive one thousand one hundred seventy-seven dollars in additional compensation.

Sec.
90.
Subsection (f) of section 52-434 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(f) Each judge trial referee shall receive, for acting as a referee or as a single auditor or committee of any court or for performing duties assigned by the Chief Court Administrator with the approval of the Chief Justice, for each day the judge trial referee is so engaged, in addition to the retirement salary:
(1) (A) On and after July 1, 2014, the sum of two hundred forty-four dollars;
(B) on and after July 1, 2015, the sum of two hundred fifty-one dollars, and (C) on and after [July 1, 2016]July 1, 2017, the sum of two hundred fifty-nine dollars;
and (2) expenses, including mileage.
Such amounts shall be taxed by the court making the reference in the same manner as other court expenses.

Sec.
91.
Subsection (h) of section 46b-231 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(h) (1)On and after July 1, 2014, the Chief Family Support Magistrate shall receive a salary of one hundred forty-one thousand six hundred eighty-six dollars, and other family support magistrates shall receive an annual salary of one hundred thirty-four thousand eight hundred forty-eight dollars.

(2)On and after July 1, 2015, the Chief Family Support Magistrate shall receive a salary of one hundred forty-five thousand nine hundred thirty-six dollars, and other family support magistrates shall receive an annual salary of one hundred thirty-eight thousand eight hundred ninety-three dollars.

(3)On and after [July 1, 2016]July 1, 2017, the Chief Family Support Magistrate shall receive a salary of one hundred fifty thousand three hundred fourteen dollars, and other family support magistrates shall receive an annual salary of one hundred forty-three thousand sixty dollars.

Sec.
92.
Subsection (b) of section 46b-236 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(b)(1)On and after July 1, 2014, each family support referee shall receive, for acting as a family support referee, in addition to the retirement salary, the sum of two hundred eleven dollars and expenses, including mileage, for each day a family support referee is so engaged.

(2)On and after July 1, 2015, each family support referee shall receive, for acting as a family support referee, in addition to the retirement salary, the sum of two hundred seventeen dollars and expenses, including mileage, for each day a family support referee is so engaged.

(3)On and after [July 1, 2016]July 1, 2017, each family support referee shall receive, for acting as a family support referee, in addition to the retirement salary, the sum of two hundred twenty-three dollars and expenses, including mileage, for each day a family support referee is so engaged.

Sec.
93.
Subsection (b) of section 8-210 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)The state, acting by and in the discretion of the Commissioner of Early Childhood, may enter into a contract with a municipality, a human resource development agency or a nonprofit corporation for state financial assistance in developing and operating child care centers for children disadvantaged by reasons of economic, social or environmental conditions, provided no such financial assistance shall be available for the operating costs of any such child care center unless it has been licensed by the Commissioner of Early Childhood pursuant to section 19a-80.
Such financial assistance shall be available for a program of a municipality, of a human resource development agency or of a nonprofit corporation which may provide for personnel, equipment, supplies, activities, program materials and renovation and remodeling of physical facilities of such child care centers.
Such contract shall provide for state financial assistance, within available appropriations, in the form of a state grant-in-aid (1) for a portion of the cost of such program as determined by the Commissioner of Early Childhood, if not federally assisted, [or] (2) equal to one-half of the amount by which the net cost of such program as approved by the Commissioner of Early Childhood exceeds the federal grant-in-aid thereof, or (3) in an amount up to the per child cost as described in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q, for each child in such program that is three or four years of age and each child that is five years of age who is not eligible to enroll in school, pursuant to section 10-15c, while maintaining services to children under three years of age under this section.
The Commissioner of Early Childhood may authorize child care centers provided financial assistance pursuant to this subsection to apply a program surplus to the next program year.
The Commissioner of Early Childhood shall consult with directors of child care centers in establishing fees for the operation of such centers.

Sec.
94.
(Effective July 1, 2016) Commencing October 1, 2016, and quarterly thereafter, through the quarter ending December 31, 2018, inclusive, the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies about program capacity and utilization related to school readiness and state-funded child care facilities.
Each report shall include, but not be limited to, for each program information about (1) the number of spaces available by space type, (2) the number of spaces filled by space type, and (3) the rates being paid for each space type for each age group, during the quarter for which each report is submitted.

Sec.
95.
Section 1 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

As used in this section and sections 2 to 13, inclusive, of [this act]public act 16-29 and section 107 of this act:

(3) "Contribution level" means (A) the contribution rate selected by the participant that may be expressed as (i) a percentage of the participant's taxable wages as is required to be reported under Sections 6041 and 6051 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, or (ii) a dollar amount up to the maximum deductible amount for the participant's taxable year under Section 219(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time;
or (B) in the absence of an affirmative election by the participant, three per cent of the participant's taxable wages as is required to be reported under Sections 6041 and 6051 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time.[, or such other amount as determined by the authority, provided such amount shall not exceed six per cent.
] The contribution level of a participant who customarily and regularly receives gratuities in conjunction with his or her employment shall be a percentage of such participant's wages as is required to be reported under Sections 6041 and 6051 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time;

(4) "Covered employee" means an individual (A) who has been employed by a qualified employer for a period of not less than one hundred twenty days, (B) who is nineteen years of age or older, (C) who performs services within the state for purposes of section 31-222 of the general statutes, and (D) whose service or employment is not excluded under the provisions of subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 31-222 of the general statutes;

(7) "Qualified employer" means any person, corporation, limited liability company, firm, partnership, voluntary association, joint stock association or other entity doing business in the state during the calendar year, whether for profit or not for profit, that employed on October first of the preceding calendar year five or more individuals in the state and has paid not less than five of such individuals taxable wages of not less than five thousand dollars in the preceding calendar year.
"Qualified employer" does not include:
(A) The federal government, (B) the state or any political subdivision thereof, (C) any municipality, unit of a municipality or municipal housing authority, (D) an employer employing only individuals whose services are excluded under subdivision (5) of subsection (a) of section 31-222 of the general statutes, or (E) an employer that was not in existence at all times during the current calendar year and the preceding calendar year;

(8) "Individual retirement account" means a Roth IRA;

(9) "Roth IRA" means an account described in Section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time;

(10) "Normal retirement age" means the age specified in Section 408A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, when an individual may withdraw all funds without penalty;
[and]

(11) "Vendor" means (A) a federally regulated [investment company or an insurance company]retirement plan sponsor conducting business in the state, including, but not limited to, a federally regulated investment company or an insurance company, or (B) a company conducting business in the state to (i) provide ancillary services, including, but not limited to, technological, payroll or recordkeeping services, and (ii) offer retirement plans or payroll deposit individual retirement account arrangements using products of regulated [investment companies]retirement plan sponsors.
"Vendor" does not include individual registered representatives, brokers, financial planners or agents; and

Sec.
96.
Section 2 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) There is hereby established and created a body politic and corporate, constituting a public instrumentality and political subdivision of the state of Connecticut established and created for the performance of an essential public and governmental function, to be known as the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority.
The authority shall not be construed to be a department, institution or agency of the state.

(b) The powers of the authority shall be vested in and exercised by a board of directors, which shall consist of [nine]fifteen voting members, each a resident of the state, (1) the State Treasurer who shall serve as an ex officio voting member;
(2) the State Comptroller who shall serve as an ex officio voting member;
(3) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management who shall serve as an ex-officio voting member; (4) the Banking Commissioner who shall serve as an ex-officio voting member; (5) the Labor Commissioner who shall serve as an ex-officio voting member; (6) one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in the interests of the needs of aging population;
[(4)](7) one appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in the interests of small employers in retirement savings;
[(5)](8) one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in the interests of retirement investment products;
[(6)](9) one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in the interests of employees in retirement savings;
[(7)](10) one appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in retirement plan designs;
[(8)](11) one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in the interests of retirement plan brokers;
and [(9) one](12) four appointed by the Governor, one who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in matters regarding the federal Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time, or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, one who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in annuity products, one who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in retirement investment products, and one who shall have a favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in actuarial science.
Each member appointed pursuant to subdivisions [(3) to (9)](6) to (12), inclusive, of this subsection shall serve an initial term of four years.
Thereafter, said members of the General Assembly and the Governor shall appoint members of the board to succeed such appointees whose terms expire and each member so appointed shall hold office for a term of six years from July first in the year of his or her appointment.

(c) All appointments to the board shall be made not later than [July 31, 2016]January 1, 2017.
Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority not later than thirty calendar days after the office becomes vacant.
Any member previously appointed to the board may be reappointed.

(d) The Governor [, with the advice and consent of both houses of the General Assembly,] shall select a chairperson of the board from among the members of the board.
The board shall annually elect a vice-chairperson and such other officers as it deems necessary from among its members.
The board may appoint an executive director [and assistant executive director,] who shall not be [members]a member of the board and who shall serve at the pleasure of the board.
The executive director [and assistant executive director] shall be [employees]an employee of the authority and shall receive such compensation as prescribed by the board.

(e) The members of the board shall serve without compensation but shall, within available appropriations, be reimbursed in accordance with the standard travel regulations for all necessary expenses that they may incur through service on the board.

(f) (1) Each member of the board shall, not later than ten calendar days after his or her appointment, take and subscribe the oath of affirmation required by article XI, section 1, of the State Constitution.
Each member's term shall begin from the date the member takes such oath.
The oath shall be [administered by the Secretary of the State and shall be] filed in the office of the Secretary of the State.

(2) Each member of the board authorized by resolution of the board to handle funds or sign checks for the program, and any other authorized officer, shall, not later than ten calendar days after the date the board adopts such authorizing resolution, execute a surety bond in the penal sum of fifty thousand dollars or procure an equivalent insurance product or, in lieu thereof, the chairperson shall obtain a blanket position bond covering the executive director and every member of the board and other employee or authorized officer of the authority in the penal sum of fifty thousand dollars.
Each such bond or equivalent insurance product shall be (A) conditioned upon the faithful performance of the duties of the chairperson or the members, executive director and other authorized officers or employees, as the case may be, and (B) issued by an insurance company authorized to transact business in the state as surety.
The cost of each such bond shall be paid by the authority.

(g) An authorized officer or the executive director, if one is appointed by the board pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, shall supervise the administrative affairs and technical activities of the program in accordance with the directives of the board.
Such authorized officer or executive director, as the case may be, shall keep a record of the proceedings of the program and shall be custodian of all books, documents and papers filed with the program, the minute book or journal of the program and its official seal.
Such authorized officer or executive director, as the case may be, may cause copies to be made of all minutes and other records and documents of the program and may give certificates under the official seal of the program to the effect that such copies are true copies, and all persons dealing with the program may rely upon such certificates.

(h) [Four]Eight members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business or the exercise of any power of the authority.
Each member shall be entitled to one vote on the board.

(i) (1) No member of the board or any officer, agent or employee of the authority shall, directly or indirectly, have any financial interest in any corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, or any other legal or commercial entity contracting with the authority.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection or any other section of the general statutes, it shall not be a conflict of interest or a violation of the provisions of said subdivision or any other section of the general statutes for a trustee, director, officer or employee of a bank, investment advisor, investment company or investment banking firm, or a person having the required favorable reputation for skill, knowledge and experience in retirement savings, to serve as a member of the board, provided, in each case to which the provisions of this subdivision are applicable, such trustee, director, officer or employee of such a firm abstains from discussion, deliberation, action and vote by the board in specific respect to any undertaking pursuant to this section,[or] sections 3 to 13, inclusive, of [this act]public act 16-29 or section 107 of this act in which such firm has a direct interest separate from the interests of all similar firms generally.

(j) The board, on behalf of the authority, and for the purpose of implementing the Connecticut Retirement Security [Program]Exchange established pursuant to section 3 of [this act]public act 16-29, shall adopt written procedures in accordance with the provisions of section 1-121 of the general statutes for the purposes of:

(1) Adopting an annual budget and plan of operations, including a requirement of board approval before such budget or plan may take effect;

(2) Hiring, dismissing, promoting and compensating employees of the authority, instituting an affirmative action policy and requiring board approval before a position may be created or a vacancy filled;

(3) Acquiring real and personal property and personal services, including requiring board approval for any nonbudgeted expenditure in excess of five thousand dollars;

(4) Contracting for financial, legal and other professional services, and requiring that the authority solicit proposals not less than every three years for each such service used by the board or authority, except for any firm that contracts to provide custodial, recordkeeping or other services for the provision of an individual retirement account such solicitation shall be not less than every ten years;

(5) Using surplus funds to the extent authorized under [this act]public act 16-29 or other provisions of the general statutes;

(6) Making modifications to the program that the board deems necessary to implement the provisions of sections 2 to 13, inclusive, of [this act]public act 16-29 and section 107 of this act consistent with federal rules and regulations in order to ensure that the program meets all criteria for federal tax-deferral or tax-exempt benefits, and to prevent the program from being treated as an employee benefit plan under the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time;
and

(7) Establishing an administrative process by which participants, potential participants and employees may submit grievances, complaints and appeals to the board and have such grievances, complaints and appeals heard and addressed by the board.

(k) The authority shall continue as long as the program remains in effect and until its existence is terminated by law.
Upon termination of the existence of the authority, all its rights and properties shall pass to and be vested in the state of Connecticut.

(l) The provisions of this section and section 1-125 of the general statutes, as amended by [this act]public act 16-29, shall apply to any member, director or employee of the authority.
No person shall be subject to civil liability for the debts, obligations or liabilities of the authority as provided in this section and section 1-125 of the general statutes, as amended by [this act]public act 16-29.

Sec.
97.
Section 3 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) There is established the Connecticut Retirement Security [Program]Exchange the purpose of which shall be to promote and enhance retirement savings for private sector employees in the state.
The board of directors of the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority may:

(1) Adopt bylaws for the regulation of the affairs of the board and the conduct of its business;

(2) Adopt an official seal and alter the same at the pleasure of the board;

(3) Maintain an office at such place or places in the state as the board may designate;

(4) Sue and be sued in its own name;

(5) Establish criteria and guidelines for the [retirement programs to be offered pursuant to this section and sections 4 to 13 of this act]program to offer qualified retirement investment choices that shall be offered by multiple vendors as selected by the authority. Such criteria and guidelines shall establish a cap on total annual fees and shall provide participants with information regarding each retirement investment choice's historical investment performance;

(6) Receive and invest moneys in the program in any instruments, obligations, securities or property in accordance with section 8 of [this act]public act 16-29;

(7) Contract with financial institutions or other organizations offering or servicing retirement programs.
The authority may require that each participant be charged a fee to defray the costs of the program.
The amount and method of collection of such fee shall be determined by the authority.
No employer shall be required to fund or be responsible for collecting fees from plan participants;

(8) Employ [attorneys, accountants, consultants, financial experts, loan processors, banks, managers and such other]such employees [and agents] as may be necessary in the board's judgment, and to fix the compensation of such [individuals]persons;

(9) Charge and equitably apportion among participants the administrative costs and expenses incurred in the exercise of the board's powers and duties as granted by this section;

(10) Borrow working capital funds and other funds as may be necessary for the start-up and continuing operation of the program, provided such funds are borrowed in the name of the authority only.
Such borrowings shall be payable solely from revenues of the authority;

(11) Make and enter into contracts or agreements with the state and any instrumentalities thereof and professional service providers, including, but not limited to, financial consultants and lawyers, as may be necessary or incidental to the performance of the board's duties and the execution of its powers under this section;

(12) Establish policies and procedures for the protection of program participants' personal and confidential information;
and

(13) Do all things necessary or convenient to carry out the provisions of sections 2 to 13, inclusive, of [this act]public act 16-29 and section 107 of this act.

(b) The board of directors of the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority shall enter into memoranda of understanding with the Labor Department and other state agencies regarding (1) the gathering or dissemination of information necessary for the operations of the program, subject to such obligations of confidentiality as may be agreed or required by law, (2) the sharing of costs incurred pursuant to the gathering and dissemination of such information, and (3) the reimbursement of costs for any enforcement activities conducted pursuant to section 10 of [this act]public act 16-29.
Each state agency may also enter into such memoranda of understanding.

Sec.
98.
Section 4 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(4) The process by which a participant may opt out of the program by electing a contribution level of zero;

(5) A description of applicable federal and state regulations, including income and contribution limits for participating in the program;

(6) The process for withdrawing retirement savings from the program, including an explanation of the tax treatment of withdrawals;

(7) The process by which a participant may obtain additional information on the program, including information regarding investment options available under the program;
and

(8) Such other information as the board may deem necessary or advisable to provide to participants, potential participants and qualified employers in the state.

(b) Not less than quarterly, the board shall provide a statement to each participant that shall include, but need not be limited to, the following information:

(1) The account balance in a participant's individual retirement account, including the value of the participant's investment in each investment option selected by the participant;

(2) The various vendors' investment options available to each participant and the process by which a participant may select investment options for his or her contributions in accordance with subsection (b) of section 31-71j of the general statutes, as amended by [this act]public act 16-29, or as prescribed by the authority;

(3) The amount of fees charged to each participant's individual retirement account and a description of the services to which such charges relate;
and

(4) At the election of the board, an estimate of the amount of income the account is projected to generate for a participant's retirement based on reasonable assumptions.

(c) Not less than annually, the board shall provide each participant with notification regarding fees that may be imposed through the program and information regarding the various investment options that may be available to participants.
The board may provide such notification and information in the form of a prospectus or similar document.

(d) The board, on behalf of the authority, may adopt policies and procedures in accordance with the provisions of section 1-121 of the general statutes for the electronic dissemination of any notices or information required to be provided to participants, potential participants and qualified employers pursuant to the provisions of this section.

Sec.
99.
Section 5 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) The Connecticut Retirement Security [Program]Authority shall provide for the establishment and maintenance of an individual retirement account for each program participant.
Such individual retirement account shall be established and maintained through the program.[or a third-party entity in the business of establishing and maintaining individual retirement accounts.
] Program assets shall be held in trust or custodial accounts meeting the requirements of Section 408(a) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, or any other applicable federal law requirements.

(b) Interest, investment earnings and investment losses shall be allocated to each participant's individual retirement account.
A participant's benefit under the program shall be equal to the balance in such participant's individual retirement account as of any applicable measurement date prescribed by the program.

(c) The Connecticut Retirement Security Authority shall establish, or cause to be established, processes to prevent a participant's contributions to the program from exceeding the maximum amount of deduction under 26 USC 219(b)(1) for the participant's tax year.

(d) The state shall not be liable for the payment of any benefit to any participant or beneficiary of any participant and shall not be liable for any liability or obligation of the authority.
The authority shall not be liable for the payment of any benefit to any participant or beneficiary of any participant, except with respect to any individual retirement accounts established and maintained by the authority.

(e) Any unclaimed funds in a participant's individual retirement account shall be governed by section 3-57a of the general statutes.

(f) The Connecticut Retirement Security Authority shall minimize total annual fees associated with the program, except on and after the completion of the fourth calendar year following the first date on which the program becomes effective pursuant to section 7 of public act 16-29, the total annual fees associated with the program shall not exceed three-quarters of one per cent of the total value of the program assets.

Sec.
100.
Section 6 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) The Connecticut Retirement Security Authority board of directors, in conducting the business of the authority, including its oversight functions, shall act:
(1) With the care, skill, prudence and diligence under the circumstances then prevailing that a prudent person acting in a like capacity and familiar with such matters would use in the conduct of an enterprise of like character and with like aims;
(2) solely in the interests of the program's participants and beneficiaries;
(3) for the exclusive purposes of providing benefits to participants and beneficiaries and defraying reasonable expenses of administering the program;
and (4) in accordance with the provisions of sections 2 to 13, inclusive, of [this act]public act 16-29 and section 107 of this act and any other applicable sections of the general statutes.

(b) The board shall, to the extent reasonable and practicable, require any [agents]vendors engaged or appointed by the authority to abide by the standard of care described in subsection (a) of this section.

Sec.
101.
Section 7 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) (1) Not later than January 1, 2018, and annually thereafter, each qualified employer shall provide each of its covered employees with the informational materials prepared by the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority board of directors pursuant to section 4 of [this act]public act 16-29.
For any employee of a qualified employer who (A) is hired on or after January 1, 2018, or (B) does not meet the definition of covered employee pursuant to section 1 of [this act]public act 16-29, such qualified employer shall provide such informational materials to such employee not later than thirty days, or such other time period as prescribed by the authority, after (i) the date of such employee's hiring, or (ii) the date such employee meets the definition of covered employee pursuant to section 1 of [this act]public act 16-29.

(2) Not later than sixty days after a qualified employer provides informational materials to a covered employee in accordance with subsection (a) of this section, or such other time period as prescribed by the authority, and subject to the provisions of subdivision (3) of this subsection, such qualified employer shall automatically enroll each of its covered employees in the program at the participant's contribution level in accordance with the provisions of section 31-71j of the general statutes, as amended by [this act]public act 16-29.

(3) A covered employee may opt out of the program by electing a contribution level of zero.

(4) (A) A qualified employer that (i) maintains a retirement plan or retirement arrangement described under Section 219(g)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, or (ii) any other retirement arrangement approved by the authority, shall be exempt from the requirements of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection.

(B) A qualified employer shall not be considered to maintain a retirement plan or retirement arrangement described under said Section 219(g)(5) or any other retirement arrangement approved by the authority pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, if the authority determines that (i) as of the first day of the previous calendar year, no new participant was eligible to be enrolled in a retirement plan or retirement arrangement maintained by such qualified employer, and (ii) on and after the first day of the previous calendar year, no contributions were made to such retirement plan or retirement arrangement by or on behalf of a participant in such plan or arrangement.

(5) The authority may defer the effective date of the program, in whole or in part, and for particular categories of employers, as the authority deems necessary to effectuate the purposes of sections 2 to 13, inclusive, of [this act]public act 16-29 and section 107 of this act in a manner that minimizes the disruption and burdens that may exist for any qualified employer.
The board shall provide notice of any deferment of the effective date of the program to the chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor not later than seven days after the authority has deemed such deferment necessary.
Such notice shall include the categories of employers affected, the purpose for which the deferment was granted and the new effective date of the program.

(b) [An]A private employer [that does not otherwise meet the definition of a qualified employer]with four employees or fewer may make the program available to its employees subject to such rules and procedures as may be prescribed by the authority.
No such employer shall require any employee to enroll in the program.

(c) Any individual who is not enrolled in the program pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may participate in the program at any time subject to such rules and procedures as the authority may prescribe.
The authority shall provide the informational materials described in section 4 of [this act]public act 16-29 to any such individual at or before the time of such individual's enrollment in the program.

(d) To the extent permitted under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time, the authority shall allow any individual to establish or contribute to an individual retirement account maintained for such individual under the program by rolling over funds from an existing retirement savings account of the individual.

(e) A qualified employer that withholds a contribution from a covered employee's compensation in connection with the program shall transmit such contribution on the earliest date the amount withheld from the covered employee's compensation can [reasonably be segregated from the qualified employer's assets]be transmitted, but not later than [the fifteenth business day of the month]ten business days following the [month in]date upon which the covered employee's contribution amounts [are]were withheld from his or her paycheck.

(f) No employer shall be permitted to make a contribution to the program.

(g) The board shall disseminate information concerning the tax credits that may be available to small business owners for establishing new retirement plans.

Sec.
102.
Section 8 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) The Connecticut Retirement Security Authority shall provide for each participant's account to be invested in (1) an age-appropriate target date fund with the vendor selected by the participant, except as provided in subsection (b) of [section 9 of this act]this section, or (2) such other investment vehicles as the authority may prescribe.

(b) If a participant does not affirmatively select a specific vendor or investment option within the program, such participant's contribution shall be invested in an age-appropriate target date fund that most closely matches the participant's normal retirement age, rotationally assigned by the program.

Sec.
103.
Section 9 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) The Connecticut Retirement Security Authority shall establish rules and procedures governing the distribution of funds from the program.
Such rules and procedures shall allow for such distributions as may be permitted or required by the program and any applicable provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time.

(b) The program shall include the following design features prescribed by the authority, provided the authority determines such features to be feasible and cost effective:

(1) [Designate a]A lifetime income investment [for the program]option intended to provide participants with a source of retirement income for life.
Any lifetime income investment for the program shall include spousal rights;

(2) Provide to each participant, one year in advance of the participant's normal retirement age, a disclosure explaining (A) the rights and features of the lifetime income investment;
(B) that once the participant reaches normal retirement age, fifty per cent of the participant's account will be invested in the lifetime income investment;
and (C) that the participant may elect to invest a higher percentage of his or her account balance in the lifetime income option;

(3) On the date a participant reaches his or her normal retirement age, invest fifty per cent of the participant's account balance, or such higher amount as specified by the participant, in the lifetime income investment;

(4) Permit each participant to elect a date not earlier than his or her normal retirement age on which to begin receiving distributions, provided, in the absence of an election, such distributions shall commence not later than ninety days after the participant reaches his or her normal retirement age;
and

(5) Establish procedures whereby each participant may elect to invest a higher percentage of his or her account balance in the lifetime income investment.

(c) The board shall inform participants about their rights to withdraw funds from the program in accordance with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time.
For participants who elect to withdraw their assets prior to their normal retirement age, the authority shall notify such participants of [any]the potential for tax penalties associated with such withdrawal and the effect of such withdrawal on such participant's expected retirement income.

Sec.
104.
Section 11 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) The Connecticut Retirement Security Authority shall keep an accurate account of all its activities, receipts and expenditures and shall submit, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, a report detailing such activities, receipts and expenditures to the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority board of directors, the Governor, the Office of Auditors of Public Accounts and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor and finance, revenue and bonding on or before December thirty-first annually.
Such report shall be in a form prescribed by the board and shall include projected activities of the authority for the next fiscal year and shall be subject to approval by the Auditors of Public Accounts.

(b) The Auditors of Public Accounts may conduct a full audit of the books and accounts of the authority pertaining to such activities, receipts and expenditures, personnel, services or facilities, in accordance with the provisions of section 2-90 of the general statutes.
For the purposes of such audit, the Auditors of Public Accounts shall have access to the properties and records of the authority, and may prescribe methods of accounting and the rendering of periodical reports in relation to projects undertaken by the authority.

(c) The authority shall enter into memoranda of understanding with the State Comptroller pursuant to which the authority shall provide, in such form and manner as prescribed by the State Comptroller, information that may include, but need not be limited to, the current revenues and expenses of the authority, the sources or recipients of such revenues or expenses, the date such revenues or expenses were received or dispersed and the amount and the category of such revenues or expenses.
The State Comptroller [may]shall also enter into such memoranda of understanding.

Sec.
105.
Section 12 of public act 16-29 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) The Connecticut Retirement Security Board shall conduct a study of the interest of participants and potential participants of the Connecticut Retirement Security [Program]Exchange in investing in a traditional IRA option.
The study shall include, but need not be limited to:
(1) The number of participants and potential participants whose incomes exceed federal limits for contributing to a Roth IRA;
and (2) the percentage of current participants that would prefer a tax-deferred savings option.
Not later than January 1, 2019, the board shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the results of such study to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to labor.

(b) The Connecticut Retirement Security Authority may study the feasibility of the state or the authority making available to employers a multiple-employer 401(k) plan or other tax-favored retirement savings vehicle.

Sec.
106.
(NEW) (Effective January 1, 2018)The Connecticut Retirement Security Authority board of directors shall establish and maintain a secure Internet web site to provide Connecticut Retirement Security Exchange participants with information regarding approved vendors that offer individual retirement accounts through the programand the various investment options, including the historical investment performance of such options, that may be available for such individual retirement accounts.

Sec.
107.
Section 31-71e of the general statutes, as amended by section 18 of public act 16-29, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

No employer may withhold or divert any portion of an employee's wages unless (1) the employer is required or empowered to do so by state or federal law, or (2) the employer has written authorization from the employee for deductions on a form approved by the commissioner, or (3) the deductions are authorized by the employee, in writing, for medical, surgical or hospital care or service, without financial benefit to the employer and recorded in the employer's wage record book, or (4) the deductions are for contributions attributable to automatic enrollment, as defined in section 31-71j, as amended by [this act]public act 16-29, in a retirement plan described in Section 401(k), 403(b), 408, 408A or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, established by the employer, or in the Connecticut Retirement Security [Program]Exchange established pursuant to section 3 of [this act]public act 16-29, or (5) the employer is required under the law of another state to withhold income tax of such other state with respect to (A) employees performing services of the employer in such other state, or (B) employees residing in such other state.

Sec.
108.
Section 31-71j of the general statutes, as amended by section 19 of public act 16-29, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Automatic enrollment" means a plan provision in an employee retirement plan described in Section 401(k) or 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, or a governmental deferred compensation plan described in Section 457 of said Internal Revenue Code, or a payroll deduction Individual Retirement Account plan described in Section 408 or 408A of said Internal Revenue Code, or the Connecticut Retirement Security [Program]Exchange established pursuant to section 3 of [this act]public act 16-29, under which an employee is treated as having elected to have the employer make a specified contribution to the plan equal to a percentage of compensation specified in the plan until such employee affirmatively elects to not have such contribution made or elects to make a contribution in another amount;
and (2) "automatic contribution arrangement" means an arrangement under an automatic enrollment plan under which, in the absence of an investment election by the participating employee, contributions made under such plan are invested in accordance with regulations prescribed by the United States Secretary of Labor under Section 404(c)(5) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

(b) Any employer who provides automatic enrollment shall be relieved of liability for the investment decisions made by the employer or the Connecticut Retirement Security Authority pursuant to section 8 of [this act]public act 16-29 on behalf of any participating employee under an automatic contribution arrangement, provided:

(1) The plan allows the participating employee at least quarterly opportunities to select investments for the employee's contributions between investment alternatives available under the plan;

(2) The employee is given notice of the investment decisions that will be made in the absence of the employee's direction, a description of all the investment alternatives available under the plan and a brief description of procedures available for the employee to change investments;
and

(3) The employee is given at least annual notice of the actual investments made on behalf of the employee under such automatic contribution arrangement.

(c) Nothing in this section shall modify any existing responsibility of employers or other plan officials for the selection of investment funds for participating employees.

(d) The relief from liability of the employer under this section shall extend to any other plan official who actually makes the investment decisions on behalf of participating employees under an automatic contribution arrangement.

Sec.
109.
(Effective July 1, 2016) The sum of $
1,480,000 of the amount appropriated in section 1 of public act 16-2 of the May special session to the Department of Transportation, for Airport Operations, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, shall be used for the operation of Tweed-New Haven Airport during said fiscal year.

Sec.
110.
Section 13b-11b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) It shall be the state-wide goal:
(1) To increase passenger vehicle occupancy levels and the use of public transportation, (2) to increase average occupancy levels to one and two-tenths persons per car by the year 2000, and (3) to increase the use of public transportation and ride sharing so that at least ten per cent of all trips between home and places of employment occur in vehicles occupied by more than one person by the year 2000.

[(b)The Connecticut Public Transportation Commission shall monitor progress toward achieving the goals established in subsection (a) of this section and, on or before January 10, 1991, and annually thereafter, shall report its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation and the environment.
]

[(c)](b) On or before January 1, 1991, the Department of Transportation shall report to the General Assembly on a strategy necessary to increase passenger vehicle occupancy levels to one and one-quarter persons per car by the year 2010.

Sec.
111.
Subsection (a) of section 13b-17 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The commissioner may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, for the efficient conduct of the business of the department.
The commissioner may delegate (1) to the Deputy Commissioner of Transportation any of the commissioner's duties and responsibilities;
(2) to the bureau chief for an operating bureau any of the commissioner's duties and responsibilities which relate to the functions to be performed by that bureau;
[(3) to the Connecticut Public Transportation Commission any of the commissioner's duties and responsibilities which relate to the functions to be performed by the commission;
and (4)]and (3) to other officers, employees and agents of the department any of the commissioner's duties and responsibilities that the commissioner deems appropriate, to be exercised under the commissioner's supervision and direction.

Sec.
112.
Subsection (a) of section 13b-212a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The Commissioner of Transportation shall develop a contingency plan for any disruption of rail passenger service on the New Haven line including the New Canaan, Waterbury and Danbury branches due to a strike, equipment failure, malfunction of the Cos Cob generating plant or any other event that would require passengers to seek alternative transportation, and submit the plan to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation on or before January 15, 1986.
The commissioner shall regularly review the contingency plan and shall regularly consult with town and municipal officials [, the Connecticut Public Transportation Commission] and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to transportation concerning the contingency plan.
The contingency plan shall include specific provisions concerning weekend rail service, service on the New Haven line and the New Canaan, Danbury and Waterbury branches, service for commuters traveling to New Haven in the morning and to New York in the evening and service to areas between New Haven and New York.
The commissioner may revise the contingency plan whenever he or she deems it necessary.

Sec.
113.
Section 13b-212c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

The Connecticut Commuter Rail Council shall study and investigate all aspects of the daily operation of commuter rail lines in the state, monitor their performance and recommend changes to improve the efficiency and the quality of service of the operation of such lines.
The council may request and shall receive from any department, division, board, bureau, commission, agency, public authority of the state or any political subdivision thereof such assistance and data as it requests and will enable it to properly carry out its activities for the purposes set forth in this section.
The council shall alsowork with the Department of Transportation to advocate for customers of all commuter lines in the state and shall make recommendations for improvements to such lines.
The council shall report its findings and recommendations annually on or before January fifteenth, to the Governor, the Commissioner of Transportation, [the Connecticut Public Transportation Commission,] the General Assembly, the Metro North Rail Commuter Council located in New York and the management advisory board of the office of the inspector general of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority located in New York.

Sec.
114.
Subsection (a) of section 13b-57d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) As used in [subsection (d) of section 13b-11c,]this section and sections 13b-57f, 13b-57h, 13b-212d and 14-270e:

(1)"Department" means the Department of Transportation;

(2)"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Transportation;

(3)"TIA corridor plan" means a twenty-year strategic plan for transportation in a corridor and any updates or other revisions to such plan;

(4)"Transportation project" means any planning, capital or operating project with regard to transportation undertaken by the state;

(5)"Local planning agency" means a metropolitan planning organization, as provided in 23 USC 134, or a council, as defined in subdivision (4) of section 4-124i;

(12)"Modal" means a mode of transportation, and "multimodal" means two or more modes of transportation.

Sec.
115.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) Notwithstanding any provision of any general statute, public act or special act, the Commissioner of Administrative Services and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may establish health benefit premium cost sharing requirements for all nonrepresented classified and unclassified officers and employees, up to eighteen per cent of the total premium equivalent as determined by the Comptroller.

Sec.
116.
(Effective from passage) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall, within available appropriations, conduct a study to determine if (1) each member of a regional council of governments, having a population of fifty thousand or more, as shown by the last-preceding United States census, should be entitled to one additional representative on the council for each additional ten thousand inhabitants, (2) each additional representative should be appointed by the chief executive officer of such member or in the manner provided by ordinance of the legislative body of such member, and (3) each additional representative of a member should be entitled to one vote in the affairs of such council.
On or before December 31, 2016, the secretary shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, the findings of such study to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to local governments.

Sec.
117.
Section 94 of public act 15-5 of the June special session is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

Sec.
118.
(Effective July 1, 2016) The following amounts appropriated in section 1 of public act 15-244, as amended by section 155 of public act 15-5 of the June special session and section 1 of public act 16-2 of the May special session, to the Judicial Department, for Youth Services Prevention, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, shall be made available in said fiscal year for the following grants:

Grantee

Amount

With These Hands, Inc.

74,610

Community Action Agency of Western Connecticut

40,000

Foster Buddies Network/Hartford Boxing Center

31,617

Police Athletic League of Hartford

40,000

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Hartford

30,000

Walter E.
Luckett, Jr.
Foundation

70,018

ACESS Educational Service

70,018

Buddy Jordan Foundation

25,000

Blessed Sacrament Church

70,018

Stratford PAL

25,000

Arte Inc.

134,691

Ebony Horsewomen

30,000

Goodworks, Inc.

12,000

Artists Collective

30,000

Passage, Inc.

12,000

C.
U.
R.
E.
T.

20,000

Hartford Knights

25,000

Upper Albany Collaborative

25,000

Our Piece of the Pie

20,000

BSL Educational Foundation of Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc.

30,000

Philips Metropolitan Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

15,000

Supreme Being, Inc.

20,000

Town of Windsor - Collaborative

10,735

Mount Olive Church Ministries

15,000

Hispanic Coalition of Greater Waterbury

46,742

Rivera Memorial Foundation, Inc.

46,740

St.
Margaret Willow Plaza NRZ, Assoc.
, Inc.

46,740

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Waterbury

46,740

Walnut Orange Walsh Neighborhood

46,740

Waterbury Police Activity League, Inc.

46,740

Friends of Pope Park (Computer Classes)

25,234

Friends of Pope Park (Troop 105)

20,000

M.
G.
L.
L, Inc.

54,000

Mi Casa, Hispanic Health Council

54,000

Southwest Boys and Girls Club/ 1 Chandler Street, Hartford

25,000

OPMAD, INC.

25,000

Boys and Girls Club of Southeastern Connecticut

32,612

New London NAACP Youth Council

10,000

Garde Arts Center, Inc.

10,000

Historically Black College Alumni, Inc.

10,000

North End Action Team

4,854

Middlesex United Way

10,000

Cross Street Training and Academic Center, Inc.

5,000

Oddfellows Playhouse

30,000

Archipelago Inc.
- Project Music

27,048

Boys and Girls Club of Stamford

87,561

Serving All Vessels Equally

163,341

Integrated Wellness Group - Vetts Program

134,691

East Hartford Youth Services

65,853

Manchester Youth Service Bureau

65,853

Bridgeport Caribe Youth League Inc.

99,420

McGivney Community Center Inc.

21,975

Boys and Girls Club of Bridgeport, Inc.

51,975

Human Resources Agency of New Britain, Inc.

85,000

OIC of New Britain Inc.
Project G.
R.
E.
A.
T.

40,000

Pathways/Senderos

40,000

Prudence Crandall Center Inc.

7,854

Family Enrichment Center of the Hospital of Central Connecticut

7,854

Beat the Street Community Center

12,926

Boys and Girls Club of Meriden

12,922

City of Meriden/Police Cadets

12,922

City of Meriden/Youth Services Division

12,922

Girls, Inc.

12,922

Meriden YMCA

12,922

New Opportunities of Greater Meriden/Boys to Men Program

12,922

Rushford Hospital Youth Program

12,922

Women and Families Center

12,922

The Village Initiative Project, Inc.
, - VIP College Prep and Life Skills

86,685

Police Athletic League of New Haven

30,000

Solar Youth

54,692

Youth Development Mentoring Through Fitness Sheridan Middle School After School Program

15,000

New Haven Symphony

35,000

Total Grants

2,707,953

Sec.
119.
(Effective from passage) Consistent with section 12-263b of the general statutes, as amended by this act, the intention of section 146 of public act 11-6, as amended by section 103 of public act 11-44 and section 79 of public act 11-61, was that on and after July 1, 2011, the General Assembly would set the rate of the tax on the net patient revenue of hospitals by setting forth the amount of funds that said tax would generate through codifying the revenue estimates adopted for purposes of each state budget, which is documented in the final version of each state budget prepared by the Office of Fiscal Analysis.
In said public acts, the General Assembly charged the Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the Office of Policy and Management, with calculating the amount of tax due from each hospital within the limitations and requirements set forth in subsection (w) of 42 USC 1396b, including determining the base year for the tax, in order to obtain the funds set forth by the General Assembly in the state budget.
As part of the administration of the tax, the Commissioner of Social Services was required to notify the hospitals of the amount of tax due.
Such calculations and notifications do not constitute regulations for purposes of chapter 54 of the general statutes.

Sec.
120.
Subsection (a) of section 12-263b of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective from passage and applicable to calendar quarters commencing on or after July 1, 2011):

(a) For each calendar quarter commencing on or after July 1, 2011, there is hereby imposed a tax on the net patient revenue of each hospital in this state to be paid each calendar quarter.
The rate of such tax shall be up to the maximum rate allowed under federal law and in conformance with the state budget adopted by the General Assembly. Each hospital shall be promptly notified of the amount of tax due by the Commissioner of Social Services.
The Commissioner of Social Services shall determine the base year on which such tax shall be assessed in order to ensure conformance with the state budget adopted by the General Assembly.
The Commissioner of Social Services may, in consultation with the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management and in accordance with federal law, exempt a hospital from the tax on payment earned for the provision of outpatient services based on financial hardship.
Effective July 1, 2012, and for the succeeding fifteen months, the rates of such tax, the base year on which such tax shall be assessed, and the hospitals exempt from the outpatient portion of the tax based on financial hardship shall be the same tax rates, base year and outpatient exemption for hardship in effect on January 1, 2012.

Sec.
121.
(Effective from passage) The intention of section 145 of public act 11-6, as amended by section 102 of public act 11-44, was that the definition of net patient revenue set forth in section 12-263a of the general statutes complies with and is consistent with subsection (w) of 42 USC 1396b, 42 CFR 440.
10 and 42 CFR 440.
20.
Furthermore, the primary purpose of the tax on the net patient revenue of hospitals was to raise revenues from uniquely situated health care providers that receive certain benefits under the state's Medicaid program.

Sec.
122.
Section 1-96e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective from passage):

Each registrant who pays or reimburses a public official or state employee ten dollars or more for necessary expenses, as defined in section 1-79, shall, within [thirty]forty-five days, file a statement with the Office of State Ethics indicating the name of such individual and the amount of the expenses.

Sec.
123.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) There is established a "two-generation poverty reduction account" which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund.
The account may receive transfers of lapsing funds from General Fund operations or poverty reduction accounts within the Department of Social Services.
The account may also receive moneys from public and philanthropic sources or from the federal government for such purposes.
All moneys deposited in the account shall be used by said department or persons acting under a contract with the department to fund services in support of two-generation poverty reduction programs.

Sec.
124.
Subsections (d) and (e) of section 10-262i of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(d) [For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount paid to a town pursuant to subsection (a) of this section minus the amount paid to such town under said subsection for the prior fiscal year shall be the aid increase for such town for such fiscal year.
]

(1)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, if the amount paid to a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, pursuant to section 20 of public act 16-2 of the May special session, is greater than the amount paid to such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, pursuant to section 33 of public act 15-244, such amount paid to a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, minus such amount paid to such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, shall be the aid increase for such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017.

(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, if the amount paid to a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, pursuant to section 20 of public act 16-2 of the May special session, is less than the amount paid to such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, pursuant to section 33 of public act 15-244, such amount paid to a town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, minus such amount paid to such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, shall be the aid reduction for such town for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017.

(e)Upon a determination by the State Board of Education that a town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district failed in any fiscal year to meet the requirements pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-262j, as amended by this act, the town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district shall forfeit an amount equal to two times the amount of the shortfall.
The amount so forfeited shall be withheld by the Department of Education from the grant payable to the town in the second fiscal year immediately following such failure by deducting such amount from the town's equalization aid grant payment pursuant to this section, except that in the case of a kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district, the amount so forfeited shall be withheld by the Department of Education from the grants payable pursuant to this section to the towns which are members of such regional school district.
The amounts deducted from such grants to each member town shall be proportional to the number of resident students in each member town.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, the State Board of Education may waive such forfeiture upon agreement with the town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district that the town or kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, regional school district shall increase its budgeted appropriation for education during the fiscal year in which the forfeiture would occur by an amount not less than the amount of said forfeiture or for other good cause shown.
Any additional funds budgeted pursuant to such an agreement shall not be included in a district's budgeted appropriation for education for the purpose of establishing any future minimum budget requirement.

Sec.
125.
Section 10-262j of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) Except as otherwise provided under the provisions of subsections (c) to (e), inclusive, of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, the budgeted appropriation for education shall be not less than the budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, plus any aid increase described in subsection (d) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act, except that a town may reduce its budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, by one or more of the following:

(1)Any district with (A) a resident student population in which the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations is equal to or greater than twenty per cent, and (B) a resident student count for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, that is lower than such district's resident student count for October 1, 2013, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students for such years multiplied by fifty per cent of the net current expenditures per resident student of such district, provided such reduction shall not exceed one and one-half per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, except that the Commissioner of Education may, following a review of a town's proposed reductions to its budgeted appropriation for education, permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount greater than one and one-half per cent if the board of education for such town has approved, by vote at a meeting duly called, such proposed reductions;

(2)Any district with (A) a resident student population in which the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations is less than twenty per cent, and (B) a resident student count for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, that is lower than such district's resident student count for October 1, 2013, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students for such years multiplied by fifty per cent of the net current expenditures per resident student of such district, provided such reduction shall not exceed three per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, except that the Commissioner of Education may, following a review of a town's proposed reductions to its budgeted appropriation for education, permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount greater than three per cent if the board of education for such town has approved, by vote at a meeting duly called, such proposed reductions;

(3)Any district (A) that does not maintain a high school and pays tuition to another school district pursuant to section 10-33 for resident students to attend high school in another district, and (B) in which the number of resident students attending high school for such district for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, is lower than such district's number of resident students attending high school for October 1, 2013, using the data of record as of January 31, 2015, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students attending high school for such years multiplied by the amount of tuition paid per student pursuant to section 10-33;
or

(4)Any district that realizes new and documentable savings through increased district efficiencies approved by the Commissioner of Education or through regional collaboration or cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education in an amount equal to half of the amount of savings experienced as a result of such district efficiencies, regional collaboration or cooperative arrangement, provided such reduction shall not exceed one-half of one per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.

(b)Except as otherwise provided under the provisions of subsections (c) to (e), inclusive, of this section,for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, the budgeted appropriation for education shall be not less than the budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, plus any aid increase received pursuant to subsection (d) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act, except that a town may reduce its budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, by one or more of the following:

(1) If a town experiences an aid reduction, as described in subsection (d) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act, such town may reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount equal to the aid reduction;

[(1)](2)Any district with (A) a resident student population in which the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations is equal to or greater than twenty per cent, and (B) a resident student count for October 1, 2015, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, that is lower than such district's resident student count for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students for such years multiplied by fifty per cent of the net current expenditures per resident student of such district, provided such reduction shall not exceed one and one-half per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, except that the Commissioner of Education may, following a review of a town's proposed reductions to its budgeted appropriation for education, permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount greater than one and one-half per cent if the board of education for such town has approved, by vote at a meeting duly called, such proposed reductions;

[(2)](3)Any district with (A) a resident student population in which the number of students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations is less than twenty per cent, and (B) a resident student count for October 1, 2015, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, that is lower than such district's resident student count for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students for such years multiplied by fifty per cent of the net current expenditures per resident student, as defined in subdivision (45) of section 10-262f, of such district, provided such reduction shall not exceed three per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, except that the Commissioner of Education may, following a review of a town's proposed reductions to its budgeted appropriation for education, permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount greater than three per cent if the board of education for such town has approved, by vote at a meeting duly called, such proposed reductions;

[(3)](4)Any district (A) that does not maintain a high school and pays tuition to another school district pursuant to section 10-33 for resident students to attend high school in another district, and (B) in which the number of resident students attending high school for such district for October 1, 2015, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, is lower than such district's number of resident students attending high school for October 1, 2014, using the data of record as of January 31, 2016, may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education by the difference in the number of resident students attending high school for such years multiplied by the amount of tuition paid per student pursuant to section 10-33;
or

[(4)](5)Any district that realizes new and documentable savings through increased district efficiencies approved by the Commissioner of Education or through regional collaboration or cooperative arrangements pursuant to section 10-158a may reduce such district's budgeted appropriation for education in an amount equal to half of the amount of savings experienced as a result of such district efficiencies, regional collaboration or cooperative arrangement, provided such reduction shall not exceed one-half of one per cent of the district's budgeted appropriation for education for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015.

(c)For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, the Commissioner of Education may permit a town to reduce its budgeted appropriation for education in an amount determined by the commissioner if the school district in such town has permanently ceased operations and closed one or more schools in the school district due to declining enrollment at such closed school or schools in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2013, to June 30, 2016, inclusive.

(d)For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, a town currently designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, or formerly designated as an alliance district shall not reduce its budgeted appropriation for education pursuant to this section.

(e)For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, the provisions of this section shall not apply to any district that is in the top ten per cent of school districts based on the [district performance]accountability index, as defined in section [10-262u]10-223e.

(f)For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2016, and June 30, 2017, the provisions of this section shall not apply to the member towns of a regional school district during the first full fiscal year following the establishment of the regional school district, provided the budgeted appropriation for education for member towns of such regional school district for each subsequent fiscal year shall be determined in accordance with this section.

Sec.
126.
Subsection (c) of section 10-262u of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(c)(1)(A)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, the Comptroller shall withhold from a town designated as an alliance district any increase in funds received over the amount the town received for the prior fiscal year pursuant to section 10-262h.
The Comptroller shall transfer such funds to the Commissioner of Education.
(B) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2014, to June 30, [2017]2016, inclusive, the Comptroller shall withhold from a town designated as an alliance district any increase in funds received over the amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i.
(C) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, the Comptroller shall withhold from a town designated as an alliance district any increase in funds received over the amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, minus the aid reduction, as described in subsection (d) of section 10-262i, as amended by this act. The Comptroller shall transfer such funds to the Commissioner of Education.

(2)Upon receipt of an application pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the Commissioner of Education may pay such funds to the town designated as an alliance district and such town shall pay all such funds to the local or regional board of education for such town on the condition that such funds shall be expended in accordance with the plan described in subsection (d) of this section, the provisions of subsection (c) of section 10-262i, and any guidelines developed by the State Board of Education for such funds.
Such funds shall be used to improve student achievement in such alliance district and to offset any other local education costs approved by the commissioner.

Sec.
127.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) There is established a Commission on Equity and Opportunity which shall be part of the Legislative Department.
The commission shall focus on issues affecting each of the following underrepresented and underserved populations:
African Americans, Asian Pacific Americans, and Latinos and Puerto Ricans.
The Commission on Equity and Opportunity shall constitute a successor to the African-American Affairs Commission, Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission and Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission in accordance with the provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, and subsection (f) of section 4-38d and section 4-38e of the general statutes.

(b) The Commission on Equity and Opportunity shall consist of sixty-three members, as follows:

(1) With respect to members appointed prior to July 1, 2016, to serve on either the African-American Affairs Commission, Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission or Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission and whose term has not expired as of July 1, 2016, such members shall be deemed appointed to serve on the Commission on Equity and Opportunity until the expiration of the term of the member on such former commission or the occurrence of a vacancy, whichever occurs first.
Upon the expiration of any such member's term or the occurrence of a vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority who made the original appointment, except such appointment shall be made in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(2) With respect to members appointed on or after July 1, 2016, to serve on the Commission on Equity and Opportunity, such members shall be appointed as follows:

(A) Nine members appointed by a joint appointment of the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate, three of whom have experience in the field of African-American affairs, three of whom have experience in the field of Asian Pacific-American affairs and three of whom have experience in the field of Latino and Puerto Rican affairs, provided at least three of such members shall also be from the central region of the state;

(B) Nine members appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, three of whom have experience in the field of African-American affairs, three of whom have experience in the field of Asian Pacific-American affairs and three of whom have experience in the field of Latino and Puerto Rican affairs, provided at least three of such members shall also be from the northeastern region of the state;

(C) Nine members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, three of whom have experience in the field of African-American affairs, three of whom have experience in the field of Asian Pacific-American affairs and three of whom have experience in the field of Latino and Puerto Rican affairs, provided at least three of such members shall also be from the southeastern region of the state;

(D) Nine members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, three of whom have experience in the field of African-American affairs, three of whom have experience in the field of Asian Pacific-American affairs and three of whom have experience in the field of Latino and Puerto Rican affairs;

(E) Nine members appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, three of whom have experience in the field of African-American affairs, three of whom have experience in the field of Asian Pacific-American affairs and three of whom have experience in the field of Latino and Puerto Rican affairs;

(F) Nine members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, three of whom have experience in the field of African-American affairs, three of whom have experience in the field of Asian Pacific-American affairs and three of whom have experience in the field of Latino and Puerto Rican affairs, provided at least three of such members shall also be from the northwestern region of the state;
and

(G) Nine members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, three of whom have experience in the field of African-American affairs, three of whom have experience in the field of Asian Pacific-American affairs and three of whom have experience in the field of Latino and Puerto Rican affairs, provided at least three of such members shall also be from the southwestern region of the state.

In the event of a vacancy for any member appointed pursuant to this subdivision, such vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

(c) All initial appointments to the commission, other than appointments made pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, shall be made not later than July 31, 2016, and the term of such initial members shall terminate on June 30, 2018, regardless of when the initial appointment was made.
The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall jointly select the chairperson of the commission from among the members of the commission.
Such chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the commission.

(d) Members of the commission appointed on or after July 1, 2018, shall serve for two-year terms which shall commence on the date of appointment.
Members shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed.
Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term.
The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall, within the limits of available funds, be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

(e) A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.
The commission shall meet as often as deemed necessary by the chairperson or a majority of the commission.
Any appointed member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from the commission.

(f) The commission shall have no authority over staffing or personnel matters.
There shall be an executive director of the commission.
The executive director and any necessary staff shall be employed by the Joint Committee on Legislative Management, which shall have authority over the hiring, termination and performance review of the executive director and any staff.

(g) The commission shall be organized into three policy divisions, one of which shall advise on policies affecting members of the African-American population, one of which shall advise on policies affecting members of the Asian Pacific-American population and one of which shall advise on policies affecting members of the Latino and Puerto Rican population.

(1) Focus its efforts on the following quality of life desired results for members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state:
That all such members are (A) healthy, safe and achieve educational success;
(B) free from poverty;
and (C) free from discrimination;

(2) Make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for new or enhanced policies, programs and services that will foster progress in achieving the desired results described in subdivision (1) of this subsection.
Such recommendations shall, when applicable, include, but need not be limited to:
(A) Systems innovations, model policies and practices which embed two-generational practice in program, policy and systems change on the state and local levels;
(B) strategies for reducing family poverty, promoting parent leadership and family civics;
(C) the promotion of youth leadership opportunities that keep youth engaged in the community;
and (D) strategies and programs that address equitable access, impede bias, and narrow the opportunity gap for members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state.
Such recommendations may include other state and national best practices, and recommendations on federal funding maximization;

(3) Review and comment, as necessary, on any specific proposed state legislation or recommendations that may affect members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state and provide copies of any such comments to members of the General Assembly;

(4) Advise the General Assembly concerning the coordination and administration of state programs that affect families and members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state;

(5) Gather and maintain, as necessary, current information regarding members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state that can be used to better understand the status, condition, and contributions of such populations.
Such information, as appropriate and pertinent to the desired results delineated in subdivision (1) of this subsection, shall be included in the annual report submitted in accordance with subsection (b) of this section and shall be made available to legislators and other interested parties upon request;

(6) Maintain liaisons between members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state and government agencies, including the General Assembly;
and

(7) Conduct educational and outreach activities intended to raise awareness of and address critical issues for members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state.

(b) Not later than January first, annually, the commission shall submit a status report, organized by policy division, concerning its efforts and any progress made in achieving the desired results listed in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.

(c) The Commission on Equity and Opportunity may:
(1) Request, and shall receive, from any state agency such information and assistance as the commission may require;
(2) use such funds as may be available from federal, state or other sources and may enter into contracts to carry out its purposes;
(3) utilize voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, state or federal agencies and organizations as may, from time to time, be offered and needed;
(4) recommend policies to federal agencies and political subdivisions of the state relative to members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state;
(5) accept any gift, donation or bequest for the purpose of performing its duties;
(6) hold public hearings;
(7) establish task forces or advisory committees, as necessary, to perform its duties;
(8) adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54 of the general statutes, as it may deem necessary to carry out its duties;
and (9) inform leaders of business, education, state and local governments and the communications media of the nature and scope of the problems faced by members of the African-American, Asian Pacific-American and Latino and Puerto Rican populations of the state.

(d) The executive director of the commission may enter into any agreement with a state agency for the purpose of maximizing the receipt of federal funds by such state agency, provided such state agency shall utilize any federal funds received as a result of such agreement to perform those statutory duties of such agency that relate to the commission's duties.
The commission may accept that portion of federal funds received by any such state agency as a result of any such agreement which federal law otherwise permits to be received by the commission.

Sec.
129.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) There is established a Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, which shall be part of the Legislative Department.
The commission shall focus on issues affecting each of the following underrepresented and underserved populations:
Women, children and the family and elderly persons.
The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall constitute a successor to the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Children, and Commission on Aging in accordance with the provisions of subsections (b) to (d), inclusive, and subsection (f) of section 4-38d and section 4-38e of the general statutes.

(b) The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall consist of sixty-three members, as follows:

(1) With respect to members appointed prior to July 1, 2016, to serve on either the Permanent Commission on the Status of Women, Commission on Children or Commission on Aging and whose term has not expired as of July 1, 2016, such members shall be deemed appointed to serve on the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors until the expiration of the term of the member on such former commission or the occurrence of a vacancy, whichever occurs first.
Upon the expiration of any such member's term or the occurrence of a vacancy, the vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority who made the original appointment, except such appointment shall be made in accordance with the provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(2) With respect to members appointed on or after July 1, 2016, to serve on the Women, Children and Seniors, such members shall be appointed as follows:

(A) Nine members appointed by a joint appointment of the speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning women, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning children or the family and three of whom have expertise in issues concerning elderly persons, provided at least three of such members shall also be from the central region of the state;

(B) Nine members appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning women, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning children or the family and three of whom have expertise in issues concerning elderly persons, provided at least three of such members shall also be from the northeastern region of the state;

(C) Nine members appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning women, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning children or the family and three of whom have expertise in issues concerning elderly persons, provided at least three of such members shall also be from the southeastern region of the state;

(D) Nine members appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning women, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning children or the family and three of whom have expertise in issues concerning elderly persons;

(E) Nine members appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning women, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning children or the family and three of whom have expertise in issues concerning elderly persons;

(F) Nine members appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning women, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning children or the family and three of whom have expertise in issues concerning elderly persons, provided at least three of such members shall also be northwestern region of the state;
and

(G) Nine members appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning women, three of whom have expertise in issues concerning children or the family and three of whom have expertise in issues concerning elderly persons, provided at least three of such members shall also be from the southwestern region of the state.

In the event of a vacancy for any member appointed pursuant to this subdivision, such vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.

(c) All initial appointments to the commission, other than appointments made pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, shall be made not later than July 31, 2016, and the term of such initial members shall terminate on June 30, 2018, regardless of when the initial appointment was made.
The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro tempore of the Senate shall select the chairperson of the commission from among the members of the commission.
Such chairperson shall schedule the first meeting of the commission.

(d) Members of the commission appointed on or after July 1, 2018, shall serve for two-year terms which shall commence on the date of appointment.
Members shall continue to serve until their successors are appointed.
Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
Any vacancy occurring other than by expiration of term shall be filled for the balance of the unexpired term.
The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, but shall, within the limits of available funds, be reimbursed for expenses necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

(e) A majority of the commission shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.
The commission shall meet as often as deemed necessary by the chairperson or a majority of the commission.
Any appointed member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from the commission.

(f) The commission shall have no authority over staffing or personnel matters.
There shall be an executive director of the commission.
The executive director and any necessary staff shall be employed by the Joint Committee on Legislative Management, which shall have authority over the hiring, termination and performance review of the executive director and any staff.

(g) The commission shall be organized into three policy divisions, one of which shall advise on policies affecting women, one of which shall advise on policies affecting children and family and one of which shall advise on policies affecting elderly persons.

Sec.
130.
(NEW) (Effective July 1, 2016) (a) The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall:

(1) Focus its efforts on the following quality of life desired results for women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state:
That they are (A) healthy, safe and achieve educational success;
(B) free from poverty;
and (C) free from discrimination;

(2) Make recommendations to the General Assembly and the Governor for new or enhanced policies, programs and services that will foster progress in achieving the desired results described in subdivision (1) of this subsection.
Such recommendations shall, when applicable, include, but need not be limited to:
(A) Systems innovations, model policies and practices which embed two-generational practice in program, policy and systems change on the state and local levels;
(B) strategies for reducing family poverty, promoting parent leadership and family civics;
(C) the promotion of youth leadership opportunities that keep youth engaged in the community;
and (D) strategies and programs that address equitable access, impede bias, and narrow the opportunity gap for women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state.
Such recommendations may include other state and national best practices, and recommendations on federal funding maximization;

(3) Review and comment, as necessary, on any specific proposed state legislation or recommendations that may affect women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state and provide copies of any such comments to members of the General Assembly;

(4) Advise the General Assembly concerning the coordination and administration of state programs that affect women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state;

(5) Gather and maintain, as necessary, current information regarding women, children and the family and elderly persons in the state that can be used to better understand the status, condition, and contributions of such groups.
Such information, as appropriate and pertinent to the desired results delineated in subdivision (1) of this subsection, shall be included in the annual report submitted in accordance with subsection (b) of this section and shall be made available to legislators and other interested parties upon request;

(6) Maintain liaisons between women, children and the family and elderly persons of the state and government agencies, including the General Assembly;
and

(7) Conduct educational and outreach activities intended to raise awareness of and address critical issues for women, children and the family and elderly persons of the state.

(b) Not later than January first, annually, the commission shall submit a status report, organized by policy division, concerning its efforts and any progress made in achieving the desired results listed in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.

(c) The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors may:
(1) Request, and shall receive, from any state agency such information and assistance as the commission may require;
(2) use such funds as may be available from federal, state or other sources and may enter into contracts to carry out its purposes;
(3) utilize voluntary and uncompensated services of private individuals, state or federal agencies and organizations as may, from time to time, be offered and needed;
(4) recommend policies to federal agencies and political subdivisions of the state relative to women, children and the family and elderly persons of the state;
(5) accept any gift, donation or bequest for the purpose of performing its duties;
(6) hold public hearings;
(7) establish task forces or advisory committees, as necessary, to perform its duties;
(8) adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54 of the general statutes, as it may deem necessary to carry out its duties;
and (9) inform leaders of business, education, state and local governments and the communications media of the nature and scope of the problems faced by women, children and the family and elderly persons.

(d) The executive director of the commission may enter into any agreement with a state agency for the purpose of maximizing the receipt of federal funds by such state agency, provided such state agency shall utilize any federal funds received as a result of such agreement to perform those statutory duties of such agency that relate to the commission's duties.
The commission may accept that portion of federal funds received by any such state agency as a result of any such agreement which federal law otherwise permits to be received by the commission.

Sec.
131.
(NEW) (Effective from passage)(a)Wherever the terms "African-American Affairs Commission", "Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission" or "Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission" are used in any public or special act of the 2016 regular session or May special session, the term "Commission on Equity and Opportunity" shall be substituted in lieu thereof.
Wherever the terms "Commission on Children", "Permanent Commission on the Status of Women" and "Commission on Aging" are used in any public or special act of the 2016 regular session or May special session, the term "Commission on Women, Children and Seniors" shall be substituted in lieu thereof.

(b) The Legislative Commissioners' Office shall, in codifying the provisions of this section, make such technical, grammatical and punctuation changes as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

Sec.
132.
Subsection (a) of section 2-53m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children, in consultation with the Office of Fiscal Analysis, the Office of Legislative Research and the Commission on [Children,]Women, Children and Seniors shall maintain an annual report card that evaluates the progress of state policies and programs in promoting the result that all Connecticut children grow up in a stable living environment, safe, healthy and ready to lead successful lives.
Progress shall be measured by primary indicators of progress, including, but not limited to, indicators established in the final report of the Legislative Program Review and Investigations Committee prepared pursuant to the provisions of section 1 of public act 09-166, of state-wide rates of child abuse, child poverty, low birth weight, third grade reading proficiency, and the annual social health index developed pursuant to section 46a-131a, as amended by this act.
For each indicator, the data shall also be presented according to ethnicity or race, gender, geography and, where appropriate, age and other relevant characteristics.
Said committee shall prepare the report card on or before January 15, 2012, and annually thereafter.
On or before January 15, 2012, and annually thereafter, said committee shall make the report card available to the public on the Internet and on the web site of the General Assembly and shall transmit the report card electronically to (1) members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies and human services, (2) the Commissioners of Children and Families, Education and Public Health, (3) the Child Advocate, (4) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, and (5) the Chief Court Administrator.

Sec.
133.
Subsection (b) of section 2-111 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)The committee shall consist of the following members:

(1)Four members of the General Assembly, one of whom shall be appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and one of who shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

(7)The director of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at Central Connecticut State University;

(8)The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors or a designee;

(9)A representative of private higher education, appointed by the Connecticut Conference of Independent Colleges;

(10)Two representatives of the Connecticut business community, one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, and one who shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate;
and

(11)Such other members as the committee may prescribe.

Sec.
134.
Subsection (g) of section 2c-2h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(g)Not later than July 1, 2020, and not later than every ten years thereafter, the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of any of the following governmental entities or programs shall conduct a review of the applicable entity or program in accordance with the provisions of section 2c-3:

(1)Office of Long Term Care Ombudsman, established under section [17a-400]17a-405;

(2)Regulation of nursing home administrators pursuant to chapter 368v;

(3)Regulation of hearing aid dealers pursuant to chapter 398;
and

(4)Plumbing and Piping Work Board, established under section 20-331.[;
]

[(5)Commission on Children, established under section 46a-126;
and

(6) Connecticut Public Transportation Commission, established under section 13b-11c.
]

Sec.
135.
Subsection (a) of section 4-67x of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There shall be a Child Poverty and Prevention Council consisting of the following members or their designees:
The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, the Commissioners of Children and Families, Social Services, Correction, Developmental Services, Mental Health and Addiction Services, Transportation, Public Health, Education, Housing, Agriculture and Economic and Community Development, the Labor Commissioner, the Chief Court Administrator, the chairperson of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Child Advocate,[and] the executive directors of [the Commission on Children,] the Office of Early Childhood and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors or a designee.
The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee, shall be the chairperson of the council.
The council shall (1) develop and promote the implementation of a ten-year plan, to begin June 8, 2004, to reduce the number of children living in poverty in the state by fifty per cent, and (2) within available appropriations, establish prevention goals and recommendations and measure prevention service outcomes in accordance with this section in order to promote the health and well-being of children and families.

Sec.
136.
Subsection (h) of section 4-67x of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(h)Not later than July 1, 2006, the Office of Policy and Management shall, within available appropriations, develop a protocol requiring state contracts for programs aimed at reducing poverty for children and families to include performance-based standards and outcome measures related to the child poverty reduction goal specified in subsection (a) of this section.
Not later than July 1, 2007, the Office of Policy and Management shall, within available appropriations, require such state contracts to include such performance-based standards and outcome measures.
The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may consult with the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors to identify academic, private and other available funding sources and may accept and utilize funds from private and public sources to implement the provisions of this section.

Sec.
137.
Section 4-124bb of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The Labor Department, in consultation with the [Permanent Commission on the Status of]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall, within available appropriations, establish a Connecticut Career Ladder Advisory Committee which shall promote the creation of new career ladder programs and the enhancement of existing career ladder programs for occupations in this state with a projected workforce shortage, as forecasted pursuant to section 4-124w.

(b)The Connecticut Career Ladder Advisory Committee shall be comprised of the following thirteen members:
(1) The Commissioners of Education and Public Health and the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, or their designees;
(2) the Labor Commissioner, or a designee;
and (3) the following public members, all of whom shall be selected by the Labor Commissioner, with recommendation of the staff of the Office of Workforce Competitiveness, [in conjunction with the Permanent Commission on the Status of]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors and knowledgeable about issues relative to career ladder programs or projected workforce shortage areas:
(A) One member with expertise in the development of the early childhood education workforce;
(B) one member with expertise in job training for women;
(C) one member with expertise in the development of the health care workforce;
(D) one member with expertise in labor market analysis;
(E) one member representing health care employers;
(F) one member representing early childhood education employers;
and (G) three members with expertise in workforce development programs.

(c)All initial appointments to the advisory committee shall be made no later than October 1, 2003.
Any vacancy shall be filled by the appointing authority.
Members shall serve two-year terms and no public member shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.

(d)The advisory committee shall elect two cochairpersons from among its members.
The advisory committee shall meet at least bimonthly.
Members of the advisory committee shall serve without compensation, except for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(e)For purposes of this section, "career ladder" means any continuum of education and training that leads to a credential, certificate, license or degree and results in career advancement or the potential to earn higher wages in an occupation with a projected workforce shortage, as forecasted pursuant to section 4-124w.

Sec.
138.
Subsection (d) of section 7-127c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(d)The Department of Education may adopt and disseminate to municipalities guidelines as to the role and duties of municipal agents and such informational and technical materials as may assist such agents in the performance of their duties.
The department, in collaboration with the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, may provide training for municipal agents within the available resources of the department and the commission.

Sec.
139.
Subsection (c) of section 10-16n of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(c)There is established a committee to advise the commissioner concerning the coordination, priorities for allocation and distribution, and utilization of funds for Head Start and Early Head Start and concerning the competitive grant program established under this section, and to evaluate programs funded pursuant to this section.
The committee shall consist of the following members:
(1) One member designated by the commissioner;
(2) six members who are directors of Head Start programs, two from community action agency program sites or school readiness liaisons, one of whom shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one by the speaker of the House of Representatives, two from public school program sites, one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate and one by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, and two from other nonprofit agency program sites, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate and one by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;
(3) one member designated by the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors;
(4) one member designated by the Early Childhood Cabinet, established pursuant to section 10-16z;
(5) two members designated by the Head Start Association, one of whom shall be the parent of a present or former Head Start student;
(6) one member designated by the Connecticut Association for Community Action who shall have expertise and experience concerning Head Start;
(7) one member designated by the Region I Office of Head Start within the federal Administration of Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services;
and (8) the director of the Head Start Collaboration Office.

Sec.
140.
Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-16v of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, and the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, shall establish an after school committee.

(b)The after school committee shall be appointed by the Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, and the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors and shall include, but not be limited to, persons having expertise in after school programs, after school program providers, local elected officials, members of community agencies, members of the business community and professional educators.

Sec.
141.
Subsection (a) of section 10-16z of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is established the Early Childhood Cabinet.
The cabinet shall consist of:
(1) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's designee, (2) the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee, (3) the Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee, (4) the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, or the president's designee, (5) the Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee, (6) the Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee, (7) the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee, (8) the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, or the executive director's designee, (9) the project director of the Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office, (10) a parent or guardian of a child who attends or attended a school readiness program appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, (11) a representative of a local provider of early childhood education appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, (12) a representative of the Connecticut Family Resource Center Alliance appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, (13) a representative of a state-funded child care center appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, (14) two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a member of a board of education for a town designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, and one of whom is a parent who has a child attending a school in an educational reform district, as defined in section 10-262u, (15) two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom is a representative of an association of early education and child care providers and one of whom is a representative of a public elementary school with a prekindergarten program, (16) eight appointed by the Governor, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut Head Start Association, one of whom is a representative of the business community in this state, one of whom is a representative of the philanthropic community in this state, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut State Employees Association, one of whom is an administrator of the child care development block grant pursuant to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990, one of whom is responsible for administering grants received under section 1419 of Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1419, as amended from time to time, one of whom is responsible for administering the provisions of Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 20 USC 6301 et seq.
, and one of whom is responsible for coordinating education services to children and youth who are homeless, (17) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee, (18) the Lieutenant Governor, or the Lieutenant Governor's designee, (19) the Commissioner of Housing, or the commissioner's designee, and (20) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee.

Sec.
142.
Subsection (b) of section 10-145a of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)Any candidate in a program of teacher preparation leading to professional certification shall be encouraged to successfully complete an intergroup relations component of such a program which shall be developed with the participation of both sexes, and persons of various ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds.
Such intergroup relations program shall have the following objectives:
(1) The imparting of an appreciation of the contributions to American civilization of the various ethnic, cultural and economic groups composing American society and an understanding of the life styles of such groups;
(2) the counteracting of biases, discrimination and prejudices;
and (3) the assurance of respect for human diversity and personal rights.
The State Board of Education, the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the [Permanent Commission on the Status of]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall establish a joint committee composed of members of the four agencies, which shall develop and implement such programs in intergroup relations.

Sec.
143.
Subsection (a) of section 10-76i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There shall be an Advisory Council for Special Education which shall advise the General Assembly, State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education, and which shall engage in such other activities as described in this section.
On and after July 1, 2012, the advisory council shall consist of the following members:
(1) Nine appointed by the Commissioner of Education, (A) six of whom shall be (i) the parents of children with disabilities, provided such children are under the age of twenty-seven, or (ii) individuals with disabilities, (B) one of whom shall be an official of the Department of Education, (C) one of whom shall be a state or local official responsible for carrying out activities under Subtitle B of Title VII of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, 42 USC 11431 et seq.
, as amended from time to time, and (D) one of whom shall be a representative of an institution of higher education in the state that prepares teacher and related services personnel;
(2) one appointed by the Commissioner of Developmental Services who shall be an official of the department;
(3) one appointed by the Commissioner of Children and Families who shall be an official of the department;
(4) one appointed by the Commissioner of Correction who shall be an official of the department;
(5) the director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, or the director's designee;
(6) one appointed by the director of the Parent Leadership Training Institute within the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors who shall be (A) the parent of a child with a disability, provided such child is under the age of twenty-seven, or (B) an individual with a disability;
(7) a representative from the parent training and information center for Connecticut established pursuant to the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq.
, as amended from time to time;
(8) the Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(9) five who are members of the General Assembly who shall serve as nonvoting members of the advisory council, one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;
(10) one appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate who shall be a member of the Connecticut Speech-Language-Hearing Association;
(11) one appointed by the majority leader of the Senate who shall be a public school teacher;
(12) one appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who shall be a representative of a vocational, community or business organization concerned with the provision of transitional services to children with disabilities;
(13) one appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be a member of the Connecticut Council of Special Education Administrators and who is a local education official;
(14) one appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be a representative of charter schools;
(15) one appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives who shall be a member of the Connecticut Association of Private Special Education Facilities;
(16) one appointed by the Chief Court Administrator of the Judicial Department who shall be an official of such department responsible for the provision of services to adjudicated children and youth;
(17) seven appointed by the Governor, all of whom shall be (A) the parents of children with disabilities, provided such children are under the age of twenty-seven, or (B) individuals with disabilities;
and (18) such other members as required by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq.
, as amended from time to time, appointed by the Commissioner of Education.
Appointments made pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be representative of the ethnic and racial diversity of, and the types of disabilities found in, the state population.
The terms of the members of the council serving on June 8, 2010, shall expire on June 30, 2010.
Appointments shall be made to the council by July 1, 2010.
Members shall serve two-year terms, except that members appointed pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection whose terms commenced July 1, 2010, shall serve three-year terms and the successors to such members appointed pursuant to subdivisions (1) to (3), inclusive, of this subsection shall serve two-year terms.

Sec.
144.
Subsection (a) of section 10-222i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The Department of Education, in consultation with the State Education Resource Center, established pursuant to section 10-357a, the Governor's Prevention Partnership, the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors and the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, shall establish, within available appropriations, a state-wide safe school climate resource network for the identification, prevention and education of school bullying and teen dating violence in the state.
Such state-wide safe school climate resource network shall make available to all schools information, training opportunities and resource materials to improve the school climate to diminish bullying and teen dating violence.

Sec.
145.
Section 17a-2 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There shall be a Department of Children and Families which shall be a single budgeted agency consisting of the institutions, facilities and programs existing within the department, any programs and facilities transferred to the department, and such other institutions, facilities and programs as may hereafter be established by or transferred to the department by the General Assembly.

Sec.
146.
Subsections (a) and (b) of section 17a-22ff of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is established a Children's Mental, Emotional and Behavioral Health Plan Implementation Advisory Board that shall advise (1) the Departments of Children and Families, Developmental Services, Social Services, Public Health, Mental Health and Addiction Services, and Education, the Insurance Department, the Offices of Early Childhood, the Child Advocate and the Healthcare Advocate, the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch and the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, (2) providers of mental, emotional or behavioral health services for children and families, (3) advocates, and (4) others interested in the well-being of children and families in the state regarding:
(A) The execution of the comprehensive implementation plan developed pursuant to section 17a-22bb;
(B) cataloging the mental, emotional and behavioral health services offered for families with children in the state by agency, service type and funding allocation to reflect capacity and utilization of services;
(C) adopting standard definitions and measurements for the services that are delivered, when applicable;
and (D) the collaboration of such agencies, providers, advocates and other stakeholders enumerated in said section in order to prevent or reduce the long-term negative impact of mental, emotional and behavioral health issues on children.

(b)The board shall consist of the following members:

(1)Eight appointed by the Commissioner of Children and Families, who shall represent families of children who have been diagnosed with mental, emotional or behavioral health issues;

(2)Two appointed by the Commissioner of Children and Families, who shall represent a private foundation providing mental, emotional or behavioral health care services for children and families in the state;

(3)Four appointed by the Commissioner of Children and Families, who shall be providers of mental, emotional or behavioral health care services for children in the state;

(4)Three appointed by the Commissioner of Children and Families, who shall represent private advocacy groups that provide services for children and families in the state;

(5)One appointed by the Commissioner of Children and Families, who shall represent the United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 Infoline program;

(6)One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a medical doctor representing the Connecticut Children's Medical Center Emergency Department;

(7)One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be a superintendent of schools in the state;

(8)One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall represent the Connecticut Behavioral Healthcare Partnership;

(9)One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate who shall represent the Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers;

(10)The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee;

(11)The Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee;

(12)The Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee;

(13)The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee;

(14)The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee;

(15)The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;

(16)The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's designee;

(17)The Insurance Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;

(18)The executive director of the Court Support Services Division of the Judicial Branch, or the executive director's designee;

(19)The Child Advocate, or the Child Advocate's designee;

(20)The Healthcare Advocate, or the Healthcare Advocate's designee;
and

(21)The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, or the executive director's designee.

Sec.
147.
Subsection (b) of section 17a-22gg of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)The consortium shall consist of the following members:

(1)Four representing families who are receiving services or have received services within the last five years from one or more home visitation programs in the state;

(2)Not more than eight representing home visitation programs in the state, at least four of whom shall utilize different home visitation models;

(3)Two representing private advocacy organizations that provide services for children and families in the state;

(4)One representing the United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 Infoline program;

(5)One representing the birth-to-three program established under section 17a-248b;

(6)The director of the Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office, or the director's designee;

(7)The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's designee;

(8)The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee;

(9)The Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee;

(10)The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;

(11)The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee;

(12)The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee;

(13)The Child Advocate, or the Child Advocate's designee;
and

(14)The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, or the executive director's designee.

Sec.
148.
Subsection (a) of section 17a-219c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is established a Family Support Council to assist the Department of Developmental Services and other state agencies that administer or fund family support services to act in concert and, within available appropriations, to (1) establish a comprehensive, coordinated system of family support services, (2) use existing state and other resources efficiently and effectively as appropriate for such services, (3) identify and address services that are needed for families of children with disabilities, and (4) promote state-wide availability of such services.
The council shall consist of twenty-seven voting members including the Commissioners of Public Health, Developmental Services, Children and Families, Education and Social Services, or their designees, the Child Advocate or the Child Advocate's designee, the executive director of the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities or the executive director's designee, the chairperson of the State Interagency Birth-to-Three Coordinating Council, established pursuant to section 17a-248b, or the chairperson's designee, the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors or the executive director's designee, and family members of, or individuals who advocate for, children with disabilities.
The family members or individuals who advocate for children with disabilities shall comprise two-thirds of the council and shall be appointed as follows:
Six by the Governor, three by the president pro tempore of the Senate, two by the majority leader of the Senate, one by the minority leader of the Senate, three by the speaker of the House of Representatives, two by the majority leader of the House of Representatives and one by the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
All appointed members serving on or after October 5, 2009, including members appointed prior to October 5, 2009, shall serve in accordance with the provisions of section 4-1a.
Members serving on or after October 5, 2009, including members appointed prior to October 5, 2009, shall serve no more than eight consecutive years on the council.
The council shall meet at least quarterly and shall select its own chairperson.
Council members shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred.
The costs of administering the council shall be within available appropriations in accordance with this section and sections 17a-219a and 17a-219b.

Sec.
149.
Subsection (g) of section 17a-301a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(g)Any order or regulation of the Department of Social Services or the former Commission on Aging that is in force on January1, 2013, shall continue in force and effect as an order or regulation until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law.

Sec.
150.
Subsection (a) of section 17a-302a of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The Department on Aging and the Department of Social Services shall hold quarterly meetings with nutrition service stakeholders to (1) develop recommendations to address complexities in the administrative processes of nutrition services programs, (2) establish quality control benchmarks in such programs, and (3) help move toward greater quality, efficiency and transparency in the elderly nutrition program.
Stakeholders shall include, but need not be limited to, (A) one representative of each of the following:
(i) Area agencies on aging, (ii) access agencies, (iii) the Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors, and (iv) nutrition providers, and (B) one or more representatives of food security programs, contractors, nutrition host sites and consumers.

Sec.
151.
Subsection (a) of section 17a-450a of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

Sec.
152.
Subsection (c) of section 17b-28 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(c)On and after July 1, 2011, the council shall be composed of the following members:

(1)The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging, human services, public health and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, or their designees;

(2)Five appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be a member of the General Assembly, one of whom shall be a community provider of adult Medicaid health services, one of whom shall be a recipient of Medicaid benefits for the aged, blind and disabled or an advocate for such a recipient, one of whom shall be a representative of the state's federally qualified health clinics and one of whom shall be a member of the Connecticut Hospital Association;

(3)Five appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom shall be a member of the General Assembly, one of whom shall be a representative of the home health care industry, one of whom shall be a primary care medical home provider, one of whom shall be an advocate for Department of Children and Families foster families and one of whom shall be a representative of the business community with experience in cost efficiency management;

(4)Three appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be an advocate for persons with substance abuse disabilities, one of whom shall be a Medicaid dental provider and one of whom shall be a representative of the for-profit nursing home industry;

(5)Three appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, one of whom shall be a representative of school-based health centers, one of whom shall be a recipient of benefits under the HUSKY Health program and one of whom shall be a physician who serves Medicaid clients;

(6)Three appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, one of whom shall be an advocate for persons with disabilities, one of whom shall be a dually eligible Medicaid-Medicare beneficiary or an advocate for such a beneficiary and one of whom shall be a representative of the not-for-profit nursing home industry;

(7)Three appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, one of whom shall be a low-income adult recipient of Medicaid benefits or an advocate for such a recipient, one of whom shall be a representative of hospitals and one of whom shall be a representative of the business community with experience in cost efficiency management;

(8)The executive director of the Commission on [Aging,]Women, Children and Seniors or the executive director's designee;

(9)[The executive director of the Commission on Children, or the executive director's designee]A member of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, designated by the executive director;

(10)A representative of the Long-Term Care Advisory Council;

(11)The Commissioners of Social Services, Children and Families, Public Health, Developmental Services and Mental Health and Addiction Services, and the Commissioner on Aging, or their designees, who shall be ex-officio nonvoting members;

(12)The Comptroller, or the Comptroller's designee, who shall be an ex-officio nonvoting member;

(13)The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee, who shall be an ex-officio nonvoting member;
and

(14)One representative of an administrative services organization which contracts with the Department of Social Services in the administration of the Medicaid program, who shall be a nonvoting member.

Sec.
153.
Subsection (c) of section 17b-112l of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(c)The program shall be overseen by an interagency working group that shall include, but need not be limited to, the Commissioners of Social Services, Early Childhood, Education, Housing, Transportation, Public Health and Correction, or each commissioner's designee;
the Labor Commissioner, or the Labor Commissioner's designee;
the Chief Court Administrator, or the Chief Court Administrator's designee;
one member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
one member of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
representatives of nonprofit and philanthropic organizations and scholars who are experts in two-generational programs and policies;
and other business and academic professionals as needed to achieve goals for two-generational systems planning, evaluations and outcomes.
The staff of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall serve as the organizing and administrative staff of the working group.

Sec.
154.
Subsection (a) of section 17b-338 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a)There is established a Long-Term Care Advisory Council which shall consist of the following:
(1) The executive director of the Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors, or the executive director's designee;
(2) the State Nursing Home Ombudsman, or the ombudsman's designee;
(3) the president of the Coalition of Presidents of Resident Councils, or the president's designee;
(4) the executive director of the Legal Assistance Resource Center of Connecticut, or the executive director's designee;
(5) the state president of AARP, or the president's designee;
(6) one representative of a bargaining unit for health care employees, appointed by the president of the bargaining unit;
(7) the president of LeadingAge Connecticut, Inc.
, or the president's designee;
(8) the president of the Connecticut Association of Health Care Facilities, or the president's designee;
(9) the president of the Connecticut Association of Residential Care Homes, or the president's designee;
(10) the president of the Connecticut Hospital Association or the president's designee;
(11) the executive director of the Connecticut Assisted Living Association or the executive director's designee;
(12) the executive director of the Connecticut Association for Homecare or the executive director's designee;
(13) the president of Connecticut Community Care, Inc.
or the president's designee;
(14) one member of the Connecticut Association of Area Agencies on Aging appointed by the agency;
(15) the president of the Connecticut chapter of the Connecticut Alzheimer's Association;
(16) one member of the Connecticut Association of Adult Day Centers appointed by the association;
(17) the president of the Connecticut Chapter of the American College of Health Care Administrators, or the president's designee;
(18) the president of the Connecticut Council for Persons with Disabilities, or the president's designee;
(19) the president of the Connecticut Association of Community Action Agencies, or the president's designee;
(20) a personal care attendant appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;
(21) the president of the Family Support Council, or the president's designee;
(22) a person who, in a home setting, cares for a person with a disability and is appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;
(23) three persons with a disability appointed one each by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House of Representatives;
(24) a legislator who is a member of the Long-Term Care Planning Committee;
and (25) one member who is a nonunion home health aide appointed by the minority leader of the Senate.

Sec.
155.
Subsection (b) of section 17b-463 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)A financial agent shall participate in mandatory training to detect potential fraud, exploitation and financial abuse of elderly persons, including utilizing the resources available on the Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors portal established pursuant to section 17b-463a, as amended by this act.
All financial agents shall complete such training within six months from availability of training resources on the Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors web portal, or within the first six months of their employment, if later.

Sec.
156.
Subsection (b) of section 19a-6i of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)The committee shall be composed of the following members:

(1)One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be a family advocate or a parent whose child utilizes school-based health center services;

(2)One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who shall be a school nurse;

(3)One appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a school-based health center that is sponsored by a community health center;

(4)One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a school-based health center that is sponsored by a nonprofit health care agency;

(5)One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, who shall be a representative of a school-based health center that is sponsored by a school or school system;

(6)One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who shall be a representative of a school-based health center that does not receive state funds;

(7)Two appointed by the Governor, one each of whom shall be a representative of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a representative of a school-based health center that is sponsored by a hospital;

(8)One appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health, who shall be a representative of a school-based health center that is sponsored by a local health department;

(9)The Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee;

(10)The Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee;

(11)The Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee;

(12)The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee;

(13)The executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, or the executive director's designee;
and

(14) Three school-based health center providers, one of whom shall be the executive director of the Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers and two of whom shall be appointed by the board of directors of the Connecticut Association of School-Based Health Centers.

Sec.
157.
Subsection (b) of section 19a-6j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)The advisory panel shall consist of the following members:

(1)One appointed by the Governor, as recommended by the Connecticut Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Society, who shall be a nonphysician medical clinician with significant experience in treating persons with lupus;

(2)Five appointed by the Commissioner of Public Health;
one of whom shall be a person with lupus recommended by the state chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America;
one of whom shall be a scientist from a university based in the state who has experience in lupus and who participates in various fields of scientific endeavor, including, but not limited to, biomedical, social, translational, behavioral or epidemiological research recommended by the Medical and Scientific Advisory Council of the state chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America;
one of whom shall be a physician with significant experience in treating persons with lupus recommended by the Connecticut Medical Society;
one of whom shall be a representative from the state chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America;
and one of whom shall be a state resident representing the Lupus Research Institute;

(3)One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives;

(4)One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate;

(5)One appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives;

(6)One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate;

(7)One appointed by the executive director of the [Permanent Commission on the Status of Women;
]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors; and

(8)[One]Two appointed by the executive director of the [African-American Affairs Commission;
and]Commission on Equity and Opportunity.

[(9)One appointed by the executive director of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission.
]

Sec.
158.
Subsection (b) of section 19a-59c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)There is established a Women, Infants and Children Advisory Council consisting of the chairpersons of the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to public health;
the Commissioner of Public Health or a designee;
the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors or a designee;
a nutrition educator, appointed by the Governor;
two local directors of the Women, Infants and Children program, one each appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and the speaker of the House of Representatives;
two recipients of assistance under the Women, Infants and Children program, one each appointed by the majority leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives;
and two representatives of an anti-hunger organization, one each appointed by the minority leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Council members shall serve for a term of two years.
The chairperson and the vice-chairperson of the council shall be elected by the full membership of the council.
Vacancies shall be filled by the appointing authority.
The council shall meet at least twice a year.
Council members shall serve without compensation.
The council shall advise the Department of Public Health on issues pertaining to increased participation and access to services under the federal Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children.

Sec.
159.
Subsection (a) of section 19a-112a of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is created a Commission on the Standardization of the Collection of Evidence in Sexual Assault Investigations composed of fourteen members as follows:
The Chief State's Attorney or a designee;
the executive director of the [Permanent] Commission on [the Status of] Women, Children and Seniors or a designee;
the Commissioner of Children and Families or a designee;
one member from the Division of State Police and one member from the Division of Scientific Services appointed by the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection;
one member from Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc.
appointed by its board of directors;
one member from the Connecticut Hospital Association appointed by the president of the association;
one emergency physician appointed by the president of the Connecticut College of Emergency Physicians;
one obstetrician-gynecologist and one pediatrician appointed by the president of the Connecticut State Medical Society;
one nurse appointed by the president of the Connecticut Nurses' Association;
one emergency nurse appointed by the president of the Emergency Nurses' Association of Connecticut;
one police chief appointed by the president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association;
and one member of the Office of Victim Services within the Judicial Department.
The Chief State's Attorney or a designee shall be chairman of the commission.
The commission shall be within the Division of Criminal Justice for administrative purposes only.

Sec.
160.
Subsection (c) of section 28-5 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(c)The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall, within available appropriations and in consultation with the Commissioners of Social Services, Public Health, Children and Families, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Education, and the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, update and amend the state civil preparedness plan and program established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section to address the needs of children during natural disasters, man-made disasters and terrorism.
The plan may also be amended in consultation with parents, local emergency services and child care providers.
The amended plan shall include, but not be limited to, a requirement that all schools and licensed and regulated child care services, as defined in section 19a-77, have written multihazard disaster response plans that address (1) the evacuation and removal of children to a safe location, (2) notification of parents in the event of a disaster or terrorism, (3) reunification of parents with their children, and (4) care for children with special needs during a disaster or terrorism.

Sec.
161.
Section 31-3cc of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

The Connecticut Employment and Training Commission, in cooperation with the [Permanent Commission on the Status of]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors and the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, shall regularly collect and analyze data on state-supported training programs that measure the presence of gender or other systematic bias and work with the relevant boards and agencies to correct any problems that are found.

Sec.
162.
Subsection (b) of section 46a-68 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)(1)Each state agency, department, board or commission shall designate a full-time or part-time equal employment opportunity officer.
If such equal employment opportunity officer is an employee of the agency, department, board or commission, the executive head of the agency, department, board or commission shall be directly responsible for the supervision of the officer.

(2)The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities shall provide training and technical assistance to equal employment opportunity officers in plan development and implementation.

(3)The Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the [Permanent Commission on the Status of]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall provide training concerning state and federal discrimination laws and techniques for conducting investigations of discrimination complaints to persons designated by state agencies, departments, boards or commissions as equal employment opportunity officers and persons designated by the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee to represent such agencies, departments, boards or commissions pursuant to subdivision (5) of this subsection.
On or after October 1, 2011, such training shall be provided for a minimum of five hours during the first year of service or designation, and a minimum of three hours every two years thereafter.

(4)(A)Each person designated by a state agency, department, board or commission as an equal employment opportunity officer shall (i) be responsible for mitigating any discriminatory conduct within the agency, department, board or commission, (ii) investigate all complaints of discrimination made against the state agency, department, board or commission, except if any such complaint has been filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the state agency, department, board or commission may rely upon the process of the applicable commission, as applicable, in lieu of such investigation, and (iii) report all findings and recommendations upon the conclusion of an investigation to the commissioner or director of the state agency, department, board or commission for proper action.

(B)Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A)(i), (A)(ii) and (A)(iii) of this subdivision, if a discrimination complaint is made against the executive head of a state agency or department, any member of a state board or commission or any equal employment opportunity officer alleging that the executive head, member or officer directly or personally engaged in discriminatory conduct, or if a complaint of discrimination is made by the executive head of a state agency, any member of a state board or commission or any equal employment opportunity officer, the complaint shall be referred to the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities for review and, if appropriate, investigation by the Department of Administrative Services, except if any such complaint has been filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or Department of Administrative Services may rely upon the process of the applicable commission in lieu of such investigation.
If the discrimination complaint is made by or against the executive head, any member or the equal employment opportunity officer of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities alleging that the executive head, member or officer directly or personally engaged in discriminatory conduct, the commission shall refer the complaint to the Department of Administrative Services for review and, if appropriate, investigation.
If the complaint is by or against the executive head or equal employment opportunity officer of the Department of Administrative Services, the complaint shall be referred to the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities for review and, if appropriate, investigation.
Each person who conducts an investigation pursuant to this subparagraph shall report all findings and recommendations upon the conclusion of such investigation to the appointing authority of the individual who was the subject of the complaint for proper action.
The provisions of this subparagraph shall apply to any such complaint pending on or after July 5, 2007.

(5)Each person designated by a state agency, department, board or commission as an equal employment opportunity officer, and each person designated by the Attorney General or the Attorney General's designee to represent an agency pursuant to subdivision (6) of this subsection, shall complete training provided by the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities and the [Permanent Commission on the Status of]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection.

(6)No person designated by a state agency, department, board or commission as an equal employment opportunity officer shall represent such agency, department, board or commission before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission concerning a discrimination complaint.
If a discrimination complaint is filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission against a state agency, department, board or commission, the Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee, other than the equal employment opportunity officer for such agency, department, board or commission, shall represent the state agency, department, board or commission before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
In the case of a discrimination complaint filed against the Metropolitan District of Hartford County, the Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee, shall not represent such district before the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Sec.
163.
Section 46a-170 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is established a Trafficking in Persons Council that shall be within the [Permanent Commission on the Status of Women]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors for administrative purposes only.

(b)The council shall consist of the following members:
(1)The Chief State's Attorney, or a designee;
(2) the Chief Public Defender, or a designee;
(3) the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or the commissioner's designee;
(4) the Labor Commissioner, or the commissioner's designee;
(5) the Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(6) the Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee;
(7) the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, or the commissioner's designee;
(8) the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee;
(9) the Child Advocate, or the Child Advocate's designee;
(10) the Victim Advocate, or the Victim Advocate's designee;
(11) the chairperson of the [Permanent Commission on the Status of]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors or the chairperson's designee;
(12) one representative of the Office of Victim Services of the Judicial Branch appointed by the Chief Court Administrator;
(13) a municipal police chief appointed by the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, or a designee;
and (14) nine public members appointed as follows:
The Governor shall appoint three members, one of whom shall represent Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, Inc.
, one of whom shall represent victims of commercial exploitation of children, and one of whom shall represent sex trafficking victims who are children, the president pro tempore of the Senate shall appoint one member who shall represent an organization that provides civil legal services to low-income individuals, the speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member who shall represent the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the majority leader of the Senate shall appoint one member who shall represent an organization that deals with behavioral health needs of women and children, the majority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member who shall represent an organization that advocates on social justice and human rights issues, the minority leader of the Senate shall appoint one member who shall represent the Connecticut Immigrant and Refugee Coalition, and the minority leader of the House of Representatives shall appoint one member who shall represent the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, Inc.

(c)The chairperson of the [Permanent Commission on the Status of]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, or a designee, shall serve as chairperson of the council.
The members of the council shall serve without compensation but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

(d)The council shall:
(1) Hold meetings to provide updates and progress reports, (2) identify criteria for providing services to adult trafficking victims, (3) identify criteria for providing services to children of trafficking victims, and (4) consult with governmental and nongovernmental organizations in developing recommendations to strengthen state and local efforts to prevent trafficking, protect and assist victims of trafficking and prosecute traffickers.
The council shall meet at least three times per year.

(e)The council may request data and other information from state and local agencies to carry out its duties under this section.

(f)Not later than January 1, 2008, and annually thereafter, the council shall submit a report of its activities, including any recommendations for legislation, to the General Assembly in accordance with section 11-4a.

(g)For the purposes of this section, "trafficking" means all acts involved in the recruitment, abduction, transport, harboring, transfer, sale or receipt of persons, within national or across international borders, through force, coercion, fraud or deception, to place persons in situations of slavery or slavery-like conditions, forced labor or services, such as forced prostitution or sexual services, domestic servitude, bonded sweatshop labor or other debt bondage.

Sec.
164.
Subsection (c) of section 46b-69c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(c)The advisory committee shall consist of not more than ten members to be appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and shall include members who represent the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, the family law section of the Connecticut Bar Association, educators specializing in children studies, agencies representing victims of family violence, service providers and the Judicial Department.
The members shall serve for terms of two years and may be reappointed for succeeding terms.
The members shall elect a chairperson from among their number and shall receive no compensation for their services.

Sec.
165.
Subsection (b) of section 46b-215a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(2)The Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee;

(3)The Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee;

(4)The chairpersons and ranking members of the joint standing committee on judiciary, or their designees;

(5)A representative of the Connecticut Bar Association, designated by the Connecticut Bar Association;
and

(6)Three members appointed by the Governor, one of whom represents an agency that delivers legal services to the poor, one of whom represents the financial concerns of child support obligors and one of whom represents the [Permanent Commission on the Status of]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors.

Sec.
166.
Subsection (a) of section 51-10c of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) There is established a Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparity in the Criminal Justice System.
The commission shall consist of the Chief Court Administrator, the Chief State's Attorney, the Chief Public Defender, the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Commissioner of Correction, the Commissioner of Children and Families, the Child Advocate, the Victim Advocate, the chairperson of the Board of Pardons and Paroles, the chairperson of the [African-American Affairs Commission, the chairperson of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission, the chairperson of the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission]Commission on Equity and Opportunity, or their designees, two members of the Commission on Equity and Opportunity designated by the executive director of the commission, a representative of municipal police chiefs, a representative of a coalition representing police and correctional officers, six members appointed one each by the president pro tempore of the Senate, the speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, the minority leader of the Senate and the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and two members appointed by the Governor.
The Chief Court Administrator or said administrator's designee shall serve as chairperson of the commission.
The commission shall meet quarterly and at such other times as the chairperson deems necessary.

Sec.
167.
Subsection (a) of section 51-344a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

Sec.
168.
Section 54-1m of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) Each municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop shall adopt a written policy that prohibits the stopping, detention or search of any person when such action is solely motivated by considerations of race, color, ethnicity, age, gender or sexual orientation, and such action would constitute a violation of the civil rights of the person.
For the purposes of this section:
(1) "Department with authority to conduct a traffic stop" means any department that includes, or has oversight of, a police officer, and (2) "police officer" means a police officer within a municipal police department or the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or a person with the same authority pursuant to any provision of the general statutes to make arrests or issue citations for violation of any statute or regulation relating to motor vehicles and to enforce said statutes and regulations as policemen or state policemen have in their respective jurisdictions, including, but not limited to:
(A) Special policemen or state policemen acting under the provisions of section 29-18, 17a-24 or 17a-465;
(B) policemen acting under the provisions of section 29-19;
(C) the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, each deputy commissioner of the Department of Motor Vehicles and any salaried inspector of motor vehicles designated by the commissioner pursuant to section 14-8;
(D) State Capitol Police officers acting under the provisions of section 2-1f;
(E) special police forces acting under the provisions of section 10a-156b;
(F) state policemen acting under the provisions of section 27-107;
and (G) fire police officers acting under the provisions of section 7-313a.

(b)Not later than July 1, 2013, the Office of Policy and Management, in consultation with the Racial Profiling Prohibition Project Advisory Board established in section 54-1s, and the Criminal Justice Information System Governing Board shall, within available resources, develop and implement a standardized method:

(1)To be used by police officers of municipal police departments, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop to record traffic stop information unless the police officer is required to leave the location of the stop prior to completing such form in order to respond to an emergency or due to some other exigent circumstance within the scope of such police officer's duties.
The standardized method and any form developed and implemented pursuant to such standardized method shall allow the following information to be recorded:
(A) The date and time of the stop;
(B) the specific geographic location of the stop;
(C) the unique identifying number of the police officer making the stop, or the name and title of the person making the stop if such person does not have a unique identifying number;
(D) the race, color, ethnicity, age and gender of the operator of the motor vehicle that is stopped, provided the identification of such characteristics shall be based on the observation and perception of the police officer responsible for reporting the stop;
(E) the nature of the alleged traffic violation or other violation that caused the stop to be made and the statutory citation for such violation;
(F) the disposition of the stop including whether a warning, citation or summons was issued, whether a search was conducted, the authority for any search conducted, the result of any search conducted, the statute or regulation citation for any warning, citation or summons issued and whether a custodial arrest was made;
and (G) any other information deemed appropriate.
The method shall also provide for (i) notice to be given to the person stopped that if such person believes that such person has been stopped, detained or subjected to a search solely because of race, color, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion or membership in any other protected class, such person may file a complaint with the appropriate law enforcement agency unless the police officer was required to leave the location of the stop prior to providing such notice in order to respond to an emergency or due to some other exigent circumstance within the scope of such police officer's duties, and (ii) instructions to be given to the person stopped on how to file such complaint unless the police officer was required to leave the location of the stop prior to providing such instructions in order to respond to an emergency or due to some other exigent circumstance within the scope of such police officer's duties;

(2)To be used to report complaints pursuant to this section by any person who believes such person has been subjected to a motor vehicle stop by a police officer solely on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation or religion;
and

(3)To be used by each municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop to report data to the Office of Policy and Management pursuant to subsection (h) of this section.

(c)Not later than July 1, 2013, the Office of Policy and Management, in consultation with the Racial Profiling Prohibition Project Advisory Board, shall develop and implement guidelines to be used by each municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop in (1) training police officers of such agency in the completion of the form developed and implemented pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, and (2) evaluating the information collected by police officers of such municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop pursuant to subsection (e) of this section for use in the counseling and training of such police officers.

(d)(1)Prior to the date a standardized method and form have been developed and implemented pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, each municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop shall, using the form developed and promulgated pursuant to the provisions of subsection (h) in effect on January 1, 2012, record and retain the following information:
(A) The number of persons stopped for traffic violations;
(B) characteristics of race, color, ethnicity, gender and age of such persons, provided the identification of such characteristics shall be based on the observation and perception of the police officer responsible for reporting the stop and the information shall not be required to be provided by the person stopped;
(C) the nature of the alleged traffic violation that resulted in the stop;
(D) whether a warning or citation was issued, an arrest made or a search conducted as a result of the stop;
and (E) any additional information that such municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop, as the case may be, deems appropriate, provided such information shall not include any other identifying information about any person stopped for a traffic violation such as the person's operator's license number, name or address.

(2)On and after the date a standardized method and form have been developed and implemented pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of this section, each municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop shall record and retain the information required to be recorded pursuant to such standardized method and any additional information that such municipal police department or the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop, as the case may be, deems appropriate, provided such information shall not include any other identifying information about any person stopped for a traffic violation such as the person's operator's license number, name or address.

(e)Each municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop shall provide to the Chief State's Attorney and the Office of Policy and Management (1) a copy of each complaint received pursuant to this section, and (2) written notification of the review and disposition of such complaint.
No copy of such complaint shall include any other identifying information about the complainant such as the complainant's operator's license number, name or address.

(f)Any police officer who in good faith records traffic stop information pursuant to the requirements of this section shall not be held civilly liable for the act of recording such information unless the officer's conduct was unreasonable or reckless.

(g)If a municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop fails to comply with the provisions of this section, the Office of Policy and Management shall recommend and the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management may order an appropriate penalty in the form of the withholding of state funds from such municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or such other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop.

(h)Not later than October 1, 2012, each municipal police department and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection shall provide to the Office of Policy and Management a summary report of the information recorded pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.
On and after October 1, 2013, each municipal police department, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and any other department with authority to conduct a traffic stop shall provide to the Office of Policy and Management a monthly report of the information recorded pursuant to subsection (d) of this section for each traffic stop conducted, in a format prescribed by the Office of Policy and Management.
On and after January 1, 2015, such information shall be submitted in electronic form, and shall be submitted in electronic form prior to said date to the extent practicable.

(i)The Office of Policy and Management shall, within available resources, review the prevalence and disposition of traffic stops and complaints reported pursuant to this section.
Not later than July 1, 2014, and annually thereafter, the office shall report the results of any such review, including any recommendations, to the Governor, the General Assembly and any other entity deemed appropriate.

[(j)Not later than January 1, 2014, the Office of Policy and Management shall submit a report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to the judiciary and public safety, and to the African-American Affairs Commission, the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission and the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus of the General Assembly, on the office's progress in developing a standardized method and guidelines pursuant to this section.
Such report may include recommendations for amendments to this section.
]

Sec.
169.
Subsection (b) of section 54-1s of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(b)The board shall include the following members:

(1)The Chief State's Attorney, or a designee;

(2)The Chief Public Defender, or a designee;

(3)The president of the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, or a designee;

(4)The executive director of the [African-American Affairs] Commission on Equity and Opportunity, or a designee;

(5)[The executive director of the Latino and Puerto Rican Affairs Commission, or a designee]Two members of the Commission on Equity and Opportunity, designated by the executive director;

[(6)The executive director of the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, or a designee;
]

[(7)](6)The executive director of the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, or a designee;

[(8)](7)The Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, or a designee;

[(9)](8)The Commissioner of Transportation, or a designee;

[(10)](9)The director of the Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy at Central Connecticut State University, or a designee;
and

[(11)](10)Such other members as the board may prescribe.

Sec.
170.
Section 17b-420a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) For purposes of this section, (1) "livable community" means a community with affordable and appropriate housing, infrastructure, community services and transportation options for residents of all ages, and (2) "age in place" means the ability of residents to stay in their own homes or community settings of their choice regardless of age or disability.

(b)The Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors shall establish a "Livable Communities" initiative to serve as a forum for best practices and a clearinghouse for resources to help municipal and state leaders to design livable communities to allow residents of this state to age in place.

(c)The Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors shall establish and facilitate partnerships with (1) municipal leaders, (2) representatives of municipal senior and social services offices, (3) community stakeholders, (4) planning and zoning boards and commissions, (5) representatives of philanthropic organizations, and (6) representatives of social services and health organizations to (A) plan informational forums on livable communities, (B) investigate innovative approaches to livable communities nationwide, and (C) identify various public, private and philanthropic funding sources to design such communities.

(d)[Not later than January 1, 2014, the]The Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors shall establish a single portal on its Internet web site for information and resources concerning the "Livable Communities" initiative.

(e)Not later than July 1, [2014]2017, and annually thereafter, the Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, shall submit a report on the initiative to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging, housing, human services and transportation.

(f)[Not later than January 1, 2015, the]The Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors, as part of the livable community initiative established pursuant to this section, shall recognize communities that have implemented livable community initiatives allowing individuals to age in place and to remain in the home setting of their choice.
Such initiatives shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Affordable and accessible housing, (2) community and social services, (3) planning and zoning regulations, (4) walkability, and (5) transportation-related infrastructure.

Sec.
171.
Section 17b-463a of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

[(a) The Commission on Aging, in consultation with the Connecticut Elder Justice Coalition Coordinating Council, the Department of Social Services, the Department on Aging, the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the Chief State's Attorney, shall conduct a study concerning best practices for reporting and identification of the abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment of elderly persons.
The study shall review:
(1) Models nation-wide for reporting of such abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment, (2) standardized definitions, measurements and uniform reporting mechanisms to accurately capture the nature and scope of such abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment in the state, and (3) methods to promote and coordinate communication about such reporting among local and state governmental entities, including law enforcement.

(b)Not later than January 1, 2016, the Commission on Aging shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging on the results of the study conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
]

[(c)] The Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors shall establish a forum and clearing house for best practices and free training resources to help financial institutions and financial agents detect potential fraud, exploitation and financial abuse.
Not later than January 1, [2016]2017, the Commission on [Aging]Women, Children and Seniors shall establish a single portal for training resources and materials.

Sec.
172.
Section 46a-4b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

The [Permanent Commission on the Status of Women]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors, in conjunction with the Police Officer Standards and Training Council, shall develop a training program on trafficking in persons and make such training program available, upon request, to the Division of State Police within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the office of the Chief State's Attorney, local police departments and community organizations.

Sec.
173.
Section 46a-128 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

The [commission]Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall review the general statutes with regard to matters involving children and shall, on or before [February 1, 1986,]February 1, 2017, and annually thereafter on or before September first, make a report of its findings with regard to any matter before it with specific recommendations for legislation to the Governor and the General Assembly.

Sec.
174.
Section 46a-131a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall develop, within available appropriations, an annual social health index report for the state of Connecticut to monitor the social health of its citizens and assist the state in analyzing and publicizing social health issues and in evaluating the state's progress in addressing these issues.

(b)Said commission may accept for the development of said index, any and all grants, contributions or donations of money and may receive, utilize and dispose of the same.

Sec.
175.
Section 46a-131b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall coordinate information on youth leadership opportunities that keep youth engaged in the community.
The commission shall inform the General Assembly and the public of such opportunities.

Sec.
176.
(Effective July 1, 2016) (a) The Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall conduct a study of the need for emergency power generators at public housing for the elderly in the state.
For the purposes of this section, "public housing for the elderly" means any building where fifty per cent or more of the units are rented to persons sixty-two years of age and older under any program created or financed pursuant to chapter 128 of the general statutes.

(b) The study shall include, but need not be limited to:
(1) An inventory of public housing for the elderly in each municipality that includes (A) the total number of housing units, (B) the location of each housing unit, (C) a description of the type of each housing unit, and (D) an indication as to whether emergency power generators are provided for such housing units;
(2) recommendations for the provision of emergency power generators;
(3) the estimated cost to provide the recommended emergency power generators;
and (4) the availability of grants for emergency power generators through the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security within the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection or any other state or federally funded grant source.

(c) Not later than January 1, 2017, the executive director of the Commission on Women, Children and Seniors shall, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to aging, housing and public safety concerning the results of the study.

Sec.
177.
Section 1 of special act 16-16 is amended to read as follows (Effective from passage):

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of chapters 109, 112a and 113 of the general statutes, or any public act or special act, the city of Bridgeport shall make all annual municipal employees' retirement system amortization contribution payments as established by the State Retirement Commission toward the unfunded accrued liability for police and fire members in the municipal employees' retirement system in accordance with the following revised schedule:

(1) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017, and [June 30, 2020]June 30, 2018, such amortization contributions shall be at thirty-five per cent of the annual required amount established by the commission as of July 2015 and;

(2) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2021, to [June 30, 2022]June 30, 2023, inclusive, such amortization contributions shall be at [sixty-five]one hundred per cent of the annual required amount established by the commission as of July 2015[;
]plus an additional amortization contribution of one-third of the amounts deferred in the fiscal years ending June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2018.

[(3) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2024, inclusive, such amortization contributions shall be at one hundred per cent of the annual required amount established by the commission as of July 2015;

(4) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2028, inclusive, such amortization contributions shall be at one hundred twenty-five per cent of the annual required amount established by the commission as of July 2015;

(5) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2029, to June 30, 2033, inclusive, such amortization contributions shall be at one hundred fifty per cent of the annual required amount established by the commission as of July 2015;
and

(6) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2034, to June 30, 2043, inclusive, such amortization contributions shall be at one hundred seventy-five per cent of the annual required amount established by the commission as of July 2015.

(b) On and after July 1, 2043, such amortization contributions shall be the annual required amount established by the commission as of July 2015, or any amount established thereafter by the commission.
]

(b) On or before January 1, 2018, the State Retirement Commission, upon the request of the city of Bridgeport to modify the amortization schedule of the accrued unfunded liability for police and fire members in the municipal employees' retirement system, shall conduct an actuarial analysis of any such request to modify the amortization schedule established as July 2015. The actuarial analysis shall take into account the overall impact on the municipal employees' retirement system, including, but not limited to, the funding ratio, the projected rate of return and whether such amortization method increases the cost of such unfunded accrued liability. The actuarial analysis may provide for alternative methods of amortizing the unfunded liability.

(c) Nothing in this section shall affect the City of Bridgeport's monthly required normal pension contributions to the municipal employee's retirement system.

Sec.
178.
Subsections (a) to (d), inclusive, of section 14-270 of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a)The Commissioner of Transportation or other authority having charge of the repair or maintenance of any highway or bridge is authorized to grant permits for transporting vehicles or combinations of vehicles or vehicles and load, or other objects not conforming to the provisions of sections 14-98, 14-262, 14-262a, 14-264, 14-267a and 14-269 but, in the case of motor vehicles, only the Commissioner of Transportation shall be authorized to issue such permits.
Such permits shall be written, and may limit the highways or bridges which may be used, the time of such use and the maximum rate of speed at which such vehicles or objects may be operated, and may contain any other condition considered necessary by the authority granting the same, provided the Department of Transportation shall not suffer any loss of revenue granted or to be granted from any agency or department of the federal government for the federal interstate highway system or any other highway system.

(b)Any permit issued in respect to any vehicle, self-propelled vehicle, or combination of vehicles or vehicle and trailer on account of its excessive weight shall be limited to the gross weight shown or to be shown on the commercial registration certificate or any commercial registration certificate issued on an apportionment basis.
A permit granted under this section for a vehicle or load, greater than twelve feet, but no greater than thirteen feet six inches in width and traveling on undivided highways, shall require a single escort motor vehicle to precede such vehicle or load.
No escort motor vehicle shall be required to follow such vehicle or load on such highways.

(c)Any permit issued under this section or a legible copy or facsimile shall be retained in the possession of the operator of the vehicle, self-propelled vehicle or combination of vehicles or vehicle and trailer for which such permit was issued, except that an electronic confirmation of the existence of such permit or the use of the special number plates described in section 14-24 and any regulations adopted thereunder shall be sufficient to fulfill the requirements of this section.

(d)(1)The owner or lessee of any vehicle may pay either a fee of [twenty-three]thirty dollars for each permit issued for such vehicle under this section or a fee as described in subdivision (3) of this subsection for such vehicle, payable to the Department of Transportation.
(2) An additional transmittal fee of [three]five dollars shall be charged for each permit issued under this section and transmitted via [transceiver or facsimile equipment]electronic means.
(3) The commissioner may issue an annual permit for any vehicle transporting (A) a divisible load, (B) an overweight or oversized-overweight indivisible load, or (C) an oversize indivisible load.
The owner or lessee shall pay an annual fee of [seven]nine dollars per thousand pounds or fraction thereof for each such vehicle.
A permit may be issued in any increment up to one year, provided the owner or lessee shall pay a fee of [one-tenth of the annual fee]one hundred dollars for such vehicle or vehicle and trailer for each month or fraction thereof.
(4) The annual permit fee for any vehicle transporting an oversize indivisible load shall not be less than [five hundred]six hundred fifty dollars.
(5) The commissioner may issue permits for divisible loads in the aggregate not exceeding fifty-three feet in length.

(e) For the period beginning on July 1, 2016, and ending on June 30, 2017, the commissioner shall waive the amount of any fee increase imposed under this section that took effect on July 1, 2016, for any person who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the commissioner that (1) such increased fee effects a material term in a contract for services that is in effect on July 1, 2016, or is subject to competitive bidding on July 1, 2016, and (2) such person is a party to such contract or a participant in such competitive bidding process.

Sec.
179.
Section 31-97 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) Whenever a grievance or dispute arises between an employer and his employees, the parties may submit the [same]grievance or dispute directly to said board and notify said board or its clerk in writing and upon payment by each party of a filing fee of [twenty-five]two hundred dollars.
Whenever a single public member of the board is chosen to arbitrate a grievance or dispute, as provided in section 31-93, the parties shall each be refunded the filing fee.
Whenever such notification is given, a panel of said board, as directed by its chairman, shall proceed with as little delay as possible to the locality of such grievance or dispute and inquire into the causes thereof.
The parties shall thereupon submit to said panel in writing, succinctly, clearly and in detail, their grievances and complaints and the causes thereof, and severally promise and agree to continue in business or at work without a strike or lockout until the decision of the panel is rendered;
but such agreement shall not be binding unless such decision is rendered within ten days after the completion of the investigation.
The panel shall fully investigate and inquire into the matters in controversy, take testimony under oath in relation thereto and may administer oaths and issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and for the production of books and papers.

(b)No panel of said board may consider any claim that one or more of the issues before the panel are improper subjects for arbitration unless the party making such claim has notified the opposing party and the chairman of the panel of such claim, in writing, at least ten days prior to the date of hearing, except that the panel may consider such claim if it determines there was reasonable cause for the failure of such party to comply with said notice requirement.

Sec.
180.
Subparagraph (N) of subdivision (37) of subsection (a) of section 12-407 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage and applicable to sales occurring on or after said date):

(N)Motor vehicle parking, including the provision of space, other than metered space, in a lot having thirty or more spaces, excluding (i) space in a parking lot owned or leased under the terms of a lease of not less than ten years' duration and operated by an employer for the exclusive use of its employees, [and] (ii) space in municipally operated railroad parking facilities in municipalities located within an area of the state designated as a severe nonattainment area for ozone under the federal Clean Air Act or space in a railroad parking facility in a municipality located within an area of the state designated as a severe nonattainment area for ozone under the federal Clean Air Act owned or operated by the state on or after April 1, 2000, (iii) space in a seasonal parking lot provided by an entity subject to the exemption set forth in subdivision (1) of section 12-412, and (iv) space in a municipally owned parking lot;

Sec.
181.
Section 22a-200c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) The Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to implement the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.

(b)The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection shall auction all emissions allowances and invest the proceeds, which shall be deposited into a Regional Greenhouse Gas account established by the Comptroller as a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund, on behalf of electric ratepayers in energy conservation, load management and Class I renewable energy programs.
In making such investments, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall consider strategies that maximize cost effective reductions in greenhouse gas emission.
Allowances shall be auctioned under the oversight of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection by a contractor or trustee on behalf of the electric ratepayers.
On or before July 1, 2015, notwithstanding subparagraph (C) of subdivision (5) of subsection (f) of section 22a-174-31 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, the commissioner may allocate to the Connecticut Green Bank any portion of auction proceeds in excess of the amounts budgeted by electric distribution companies in the plan submitted to the department on November 1, 2012, in accordance with section 16-245m, to support energy efficiency programs, provided any such excess proceeds may be calculated and allocated on a pro rata basis at the conclusion of any auction.

(c)The regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may include provisions to cover the reasonable administrative costs associated with the implementation of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative in Connecticut and to fund assessment and planning of measures to reduce emissions, mitigate the impacts of climate change and to cover the reasonable administrative costs of state agencies associated with the adoption of regulations, plans and policies in accordance with section 22a-200a.
Such costs shall not exceed seven and one-half per cent of the total projected allowance value.
Such regulations may also set aside a portion of the allowances to support the voluntary renewable energy provisions of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative model rule and combined heat and power.

(d)Any allowances or allowance value allocated to the energy conservation load management program on behalf of electric ratepayers shall be incorporated into the planning and procurement process in sections 16a-3a and 16a-3b.

(e) Beginning with the first auction occurring on or after January 1, 2017, and notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (6) of subsection (f) of section 22a-174-31 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies, auction proceeds totaling three million three hundred thousand dollars shall be diverted to the General Fund in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, provided all proceeds in excess of said amount in the auction or auctions where such diversion occurs, and all proceeds in all subsequent auctions, shall be calculated and allocated in accordance with subdivision (6) of subsection (f) of section 22a-174-31 of the regulations of Connecticut state agencies.

Sec.
182.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall make reasonable efforts to facilitate the issuance of tax warrants on payment settlement entities under the provisions of section 12-35 of the general statutes for payments made by such entities to retailers in Connecticut.
For purposes of this section, "payment settlement entities" has the same meaning as provided in Section 6050W of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as amended from time to time.

Sec.
183.
Section 12-704d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016, and applicable to taxable years commencing on or after January 1, 2016):

(a) As used in this section:

(1)"Angel investor" means an accredited investor, as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or network of accredited investors who review new or proposed businesses for potential investment and who may seek active involvement, such as consulting and mentoring, in a Connecticut business, but "angel investor" does not include (A) a person controlling fifty per cent or more of the Connecticut business invested in by the angel investor, (B) a venture capital company, or (C) any bank, bank and trust company, insurance company, trust company, national bank, savings association or building and loan association for activities that are a part of its normal course of business;

(2)"Cash investment" means the contribution of cash, at a risk of loss, to a qualified Connecticut business in exchange for qualified securities;

(3)"Connecticut business" means any business with its principal place of business in Connecticut that is engaged in bioscience, advanced materials, photonics, information technology, clean technology or any other emerging technology as determined by the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development;

(4)"Bioscience" means manufacturing pharmaceuticals, medicines, medical equipment or medical devices and analytical laboratory instruments, operating medical or diagnostic testing laboratories, or conducting pure research and development in life sciences;

(9)"Qualified securities" means any form of equity, including a general or limited partnership interest, common stock, preferred stock, with or without voting rights, without regard to seniority position that must be convertible into common stock.

(b)There shall be allowed a credit against the tax imposed under this chapter, other than the liability imposed by section 12-707, for a cash investment of not less than twenty-five thousand dollars in the qualified securities of a Connecticut business by an angel investor.
The credit shall be in an amount equal to twenty-five per cent of such investor's cash investment, provided the total tax credits allowed to any angel investor shall not exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars.
The credit shall be claimed in the taxable year in which such cash investment is made by the angel investor.[and shall not be transferable.
]The credit may be sold, assigned or otherwise transferred, in whole or in part.

(c)To qualify for a tax credit pursuant to this section, a cash investment shall be in a Connecticut business that (1) has been approved as a qualified Connecticut business pursuant to subsection (d) of this section;
(2) had annual gross revenues of less than one million dollars in the most recent income year of such business;
(3) has fewer than twenty-five employees, not less than seventy-five per cent of whom reside in this state;
(4) has been operating in this state for less than seven consecutive years;
(5) is primarily owned by the management of the business and their families;
and (6) received less than two million dollars in cash investments eligible for the tax credits provided by this section.

(d)(1)A Connecticut business may apply to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, for approval as a Connecticut business qualified to receive cash investments eligible for a tax credit pursuant to this section.
The application shall include (A) the name of the business and a copy of the organizational documents of such business, (B) a business plan, including a description of the business and the management, product, market and financial plan of the business, (C) a description of the business's innovative technology, product or service, (D) a statement of the potential economic impact of the business, including the number, location and types of jobs expected to be created, (E) a description of the qualified securities to be issued and the amount of cash investment sought by the qualified Connecticut business, (F) a statement of the amount, timing and projected use of the proceeds to be raised from the proposed sale of qualified securities, and (G) such other information as the chief executive officer of Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, may require.

(2)Said chief executive officer shall, on a monthly basis, compile a list of approved applications, categorized by the cash investments being sought by the qualified Connecticut business and type of qualified securities offered.

(e)(1)Any angel investor that intends to make a cash investment in a business on such list may apply to Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, to reserve a tax credit in the amount indicated by such investor.
The aggregate amount of all tax credits under this section that may be reserved by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, shall not exceed six million dollars annually for the fiscal years commencing July 1, 2010, to July 1, 2012, inclusive, and shall not exceed three million dollars in each fiscal year thereafter.
Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, shall not reserve tax credits under this section for any investment made on or after July 1, [2016]2019.

(2)The amount of the credit allowed to any investor pursuant to this section shall not exceed the amount of tax due from such investor under this chapter, other than section 12-707, with respect to such taxable year.
Any tax credit that is claimed by the angel investor but not applied against the tax due under this chapter, other than the liability imposed under section 12-707, may be carried forward for the five immediately succeeding taxable years until the full credit has been applied.

(f)If the angel investor is an S corporation or an entity treated as a partnership for federal income tax purposes, the tax credit may be claimed by the shareholders or partners of the angel investor.
If the angel investor is a single member limited liability company that is disregarded as an entity separate from its owner, the tax credit may be claimed by such limited liability company's owner, provided such owner is a person subject to the tax imposed under this chapter.

(g)A review of the cumulative effectiveness of the credit under this section shall be conducted by Connecticut Innovations, Incorporated, by July 1, 2014, and by July first annually thereafter.
Such review shall include, but need not be limited to, the number and type of Connecticut businesses that received angel investments, the number of angel investors and the aggregate amount of cash investments, the current status of each Connecticut business that received angel investments, the number of employees employed in each year following the year in which such Connecticut business received the angel investment, and the economic impact in the state, of the Connecticut business that received the angel investment.
Such review shall be submitted to the Office of Policy and Management and to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a.

Sec.
184.
Section 3-115b of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) Commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, the Comptroller, in the Comptroller's sole discretion, may initiate a process intended to result in the implementation of the use of generally accepted accounting principles, as prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, with respect to the preparation and maintenance of the annual financial statements of the state pursuant to section 3-115.

(b)Commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall initiate a process intended to result in the implementation of generally accepted accounting principles, as prescribed by the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, with respect to the preparation of the biennial budget of the state.

(c)The Comptroller shall establish an opening combined balance sheet for each appropriated fund as of July 1, 2013, on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles.
The accumulated deficit in the General Fund on June 30, 2013, as determined on the basis of generally accepted accounting principles and identified in the comprehensive annual financial report of the state as the unassigned negative balance of the General Fund on said date, reduced by any funds deposited in the General Fund from other resources for the purpose of reducing the negative unassigned balance of the fund, shall be amortized in equal increments in each fiscal year of each biennial budget, commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and for the succeeding twelve fiscal years.
The Comptroller shall, to the extent necessary to report the fiscal position of the state in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, reconcile the unassigned balance in the General Fund at the end of each fiscal year to the unassigned balance in the General Fund on June 30, 2013, the portion already amortized and any unassigned balance created after June 30, 2013.

(d)The unreserved negative balance in the General Fund reported in the comprehensive annual financial report issued by the Comptroller for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, reduced by (1) the negative unassigned balance in the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, and (2) any funds from other resources deposited in the General Fund for the purpose of reducing the negative unassigned balance of the fund shall be amortized in equal increments in each fiscal year of each biennial budget, commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, [2017]2018, and for the succeeding [eleven]ten fiscal years.

Sec.
185.
Subsection (a) of section 12-541 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective from passage):

(a) There is hereby imposed a tax of ten per cent of the admission charge to any place of amusement, entertainment or recreation, except that no tax shall be imposed with respect to any admission charge (1) when the admission charge is less than one dollar or, in the case of any motion picture show, when the admission charge is not more than five dollars, (2) when a daily admission charge is imposed which entitles the patron to participate in an athletic or sporting activity, (3) to any event, other than events held at the stadium facility, as defined in section 32-651, if all of the proceeds from the event inure exclusively to an entity which is exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code, provided such entity actively engages in and assumes the financial risk associated with the presentation of such event, (4) to any event, other than events held at the stadium facility, as defined in section 32-651, which, in the opinion of the commissioner, is conducted primarily to raise funds for an entity which is exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code, provided the commissioner is satisfied that the net profit which inures to such entity from such event will exceed the amount of the admissions tax which, but for this subdivision, would be imposed upon the person making such charge to such event, (5) other than for events held at the stadium facility, as defined in section 32-651, paid by centers of service for elderly persons, as described in subdivision (d) of section 17a-310, (6) to any production featuring live performances by actors or musicians presented at Gateway's Candlewood Playhouse, Ocean Beach Park or any nonprofit theater or playhouse in the state, provided such theater or playhouse possesses evidence confirming exemption from federal tax under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, (7) to any carnival or amusement ride, (8) to any interscholastic athletic event held at the stadium facility, as defined in section 32-651, (9) if the admission charge would have been subject to tax under the provisions of section 12-542 of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 1999, (10) to any event at (A) the XL Center in Hartford, or (B) the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, [or] (11) from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2017, to any athletic event presented by a member team of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, (12) to any event presented at the Dunkin' Donuts Park in Hartford, or (13) on and after July 1, 2017, to any athletic event presented by a member team of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball at the New Britain Stadium.
On and after July 1, 2000, the tax imposed under this section on any motion picture show shall be eight per cent of the admission charge and, on and after July 1, 2001, the tax imposed on any such motion picture show shall be six per cent of such charge.

Sec.
186.
(NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) A municipality may, by ordinance, impose a surcharge on the admission charge, as defined in subdivision (3) of section 12-540 of the general statutes, for any event that is held at a facility located within the municipality.
The amount of such surcharge shall not exceed five per cent of the amount of admission, except that the amount of such surcharge imposed on the facility described in subdivision (12) of subsection (a) of section 12-541 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, shall not exceed ten per cent of the amount of admission.
The amount of any such surcharge shall be in addition to any tax otherwise applicable to such admission charge, except that no municipality may impose a surcharge on a facility pursuant to this section if (1) the municipality imposes a surcharge on such facility pursuant to section 12-579 of the general statutes, or (2) all of the proceeds from the event inure exclusively to an entity which is exempt from federal income tax under the Internal Revenue Code, provided such entity actively engages in and assumes the financial risk associated with the presentation of such event.
Any municipal ordinance adopted pursuant to this section may exclude additional events or facilities from the surcharge imposed pursuant to this section.

(b) The surcharge shall be imposed on the facility at which such event takes place, and reimbursement for the surcharge shall be collected from the purchaser upon payment of the admission charge.
The surcharge, when added to the admission charge, shall be a debt from the purchaser to the facility and shall be recoverable at law.
The facility shall remit the total amount of all surcharges imposed pursuant to this section to the municipality in accordance with section 12-581 of the general statutes.
Any surcharge imposed pursuant to this section shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 226a of the general statutes in the same manner as a tax imposed pursuant to said chapter.

Sec.
187.
Section 12-71e of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective from passage and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after October 1, 2015):

Notwithstanding the provisions of any special act, municipal charter or home rule ordinance, for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2015, and each assessment year thereafter, each municipality and district shall tax motor vehicles in accordance with this section.
[For]Notwithstanding any mill rate for motor vehicles set by a municipality before the effective date of this section, for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2015, the mill rate for motor vehicles shall not exceed [32 mills]37 mills, except in the case of a municipality that set a mill rate before the effective date of this section for motor vehicles of 32 mills for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2015, the mill rate for motor vehicles shall be the lesser of 37 mills, the mill rate set before the effective date of this section for real property and personal property other than motor vehicles for such municipality for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2015, or a mill rate for motor vehicles set by a municipality after the effective date of this section that is less than 37 mills.
For the assessment year commencing October 1, 2016, and each assessment year thereafter, the mill rate for motor vehicles shall not exceed [29.
36]32 mills.
Any municipality or district may establish a mill rate for motor vehicles that is different from its mill rate for real property to comply with the provisions of this section.
No district or borough may set a motor vehicle mill rate that if combined with the motor vehicle mill rate of the municipality in which such district or borough is located would result in a combined motor vehicle mill rate (1) above [32]37 mills for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2015, provided in the case of a district or borough that set a mill rate before the effective date of this section for motor vehicles that if combined with the motor vehicle mill rate of the municipality in which such district or borough is located resulted in a combined motor vehicle mill rate of 32 mills for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2015, the mill rate on motor vehicles for any such district or borough for such assessment year shall be the lesser of (A) a mill rate for motor vehicles that if combined with the motor vehicle mill rate of the municipality in which such district or borough is located would result in a combined motor vehicle mill rate of 37, (B) the mill rate set before the effective date of this section for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2015, on real property and personal property other than motor vehicles for such borough or district, or (C) a mill rate for motor vehicles set by a borough or district after the effective date of this section that is less than 37 mills when combined with the motor vehicle mill rate of the municipality in which such district or borough is located, or (2) above [29.
36]32 mills for the assessment year commencing October 1, 2016, and each assessment year thereafter.
For the purposes of this section, "municipality" means any town, city, borough, consolidated town and city, consolidated town and borough and "district" means any district, as defined in section 7-324.

Sec.
188.
Section 46 of public act 16-2 of the May special session is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

During the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, [and each fiscal year thereafter,] an amount equal to the appropriation from the Municipal Revenue Sharing Fund to the Office of Policy and Management shall be transferred from the General Fund to the Municipal Revenue Sharing Fund and shall be distributed by said office, during each such fiscal year, in accordance with the provisions of section [43 of this act]41 of public act 16-2 of the May special session and sections 4-66l and 12-18b of the general statutes, as amended by this act.

Sec.
189.
Subsections (e) to (h), inclusive, of section 4-66l of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes, as amended by section 42 of public act 16-2 of the May special session, are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(e)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, and each fiscal year thereafter, each regional council of governments shall receive a regional services grant, the amount of which will be based on a formula to be determined by the secretary, except that, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, thirty-five per cent of such grant moneys shall be awarded to regional councils of governments for the purpose of assisting regional education service centers in merging their human resource, finance or technology services with such services provided by municipalities within the region.
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, three million dollars shall be expended by the secretary from the Municipal Revenue Sharing Fund established in section 41 of [this act]public act 16-2 of the May special session for the purpose of the regional services grant.
No such council shall receive a grant for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, or any fiscal year thereafter, unless the secretary approves a spending plan for such grant moneys submitted by such council to the secretary on or before July 1, 2017, and annually thereafter.
The regional councils of governments shall use such grants for planning purposes and to achieve efficiencies in the delivery of municipal services by regionalizing such services, including, but not limited to, region-wide consolidation of such services.
Such efficiencies shall not diminish the quality of such services.
A unanimous vote of the representatives of such council shall be required for approval of any expenditure from such grant.
On or before October 1, 2017, and biennially thereafter, each such council shall submit a report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to planning and development and finance, revenue and bonding.
Such report shall summarize the expenditure of such grants and provide recommendations concerning the expansion, reduction or modification of such grants.

(f)For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and each fiscal year thereafter, each municipality shall receive a municipal revenue sharing grant as follows:

(1)(A)A municipality having a mill rate at or above twenty-five shall receive the per capita distribution or pro rata distribution, whichever is higher for such municipality.

(B)Such grants shall be increased by a percentage calculated as follows:

Sum of per capita distribution amount

for all municipalities having a mill rate

below twenty-five – pro rata distribution

amount for all municipalities

having a mill rate below twenty-five

_______________________________________

Sum of all grants to municipalities

calculated pursuant to subparagraph (A)

of subdivision (1) of this subsection.

(C)Notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of this subdivision, Hartford shall receive not more than 5.
2 per cent of the municipal revenue sharing grants distributed pursuant to this subsection;
Bridgeport shall receive not more than 4.
5 per cent of the municipal revenue sharing grants distributed pursuant to this subsection;
New Haven shall receive not more than 2.
0 per cent of the municipal revenue sharing grants distributed pursuant to this subsection and Stamford shall receive not more than 2.
8 per cent of the equalization grants distributed pursuant to this subsection.
Any excess funds remaining after such reductions in payments to Hartford, Bridgeport, New Haven and Stamford shall be distributed to all other municipalities having a mill rate at or above twenty-five on a pro rata basis according to the payment they receive pursuant to this subdivision;
and

(2)A municipality having a mill rate below twenty-five shall receive the per capita distribution or pro rata distribution, whichever is less for such municipality.

(3) For the purposes of this subsection, "mill rate" means the mill rate for real property and personal property other than motor vehicles.

(g)Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a municipality may disburse any municipal revenue sharing grant funds to a district within such municipality.

(h)[For](1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grant payable to a municipality in any year in accordance with subsection (d) or (f) of this section shall be reduced if such municipality increases its [general]adopted budget expenditures for such fiscal year above a cap equal to the amount of [general]adopted budget expenditures authorized for the previous fiscal year by 2.
5 per cent or more or the rate of inflation, whichever is greater.
Such reduction shall be in an amount equal to fifty cents for every dollar expended over the cap set forth in this subsection.
For the purposes of this section, (A) "municipal spending" does not include expenditures for debt service, special education, implementation of court orders or arbitration awards, expenditures associated with a major disaster or emergency declaration by the President of the United States,[or] a disaster emergency declaration issued by the Governor pursuant to chapter 517 or any disbursement made to a district pursuant to subsection (c) or (g) of this section, budgeting for an audited deficit, nonrecurring grants, capital expenditures or payments on unfunded pension liabilities, (B) "adopted budget expenditures" includes expenditures from a municipality's general fund and expenditures from any nonbudgeted funds, and (C) "capital expenditure" means a nonrecurring capital expenditure of one hundred thousand dollars or more.
Each municipality shall annually certify to the secretary, on a form prescribed by said secretary, whether such municipality has exceeded the cap set forth in this subsection and if so the amount by which the cap was exceeded.

(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and each fiscal year thereafter, the amount of the grant payable to a municipality in any year in accordance with subsection (d) or (f) of this section shall not be reduced in the case of a municipality whose adopted budget expenditures exceed the cap set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection by an amount proportionate to any increase to its municipal population from the previous fiscal year, as determined by the secretary.

Sec.
190.
Subsection (e) of section 12-18b of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes, as amended by section 43 of public act 16-2 of the May special session, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(e) (1) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2019, if the total of grants payable to each municipality and district in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of said subsection (b) for said fiscal years: (A) The amount of the grant payable to each municipality for state, municipal or tribal property and to each municipality or district for college and hospital property shall be reduced proportionately, provided the percentage of the property taxes payable to a municipality or district with respect to such property shall not be lower than the percentage paid to the municipality or district for such property for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015; and (B) certain municipalities and districts shall receive an additional payment in lieu of taxes grant payable from the select payment in lieu of taxes account. The total amount of the grant payment is as follows:

Municipality/District

Grant Amount

Ansonia

20,543

Bridgeport

3,236,058

Chaplin

11,177

Danbury

620,540

Deep River

1,961

Derby

138,841

East Granby

9,904

East Hartford

214,997

Hamden

620,903

Hartford

12,422,113

Killingly

46,615

Ledyard

3,012

Litchfield

13,907

Mansfield

2,630,447

Meriden

259,564

Middletown

727,324

Montville

26,217

New Britain

2,085,537

New Haven

15,246,372

New London

1,356,780

Newington

176,884

North Canaan

4,393

Norwich

259,862

Plainfield

16,116

Simsbury

21,671

Stafford

43,057

Stamford

552,292

Suffield

53,767

Wallingford

61,586

Waterbury

3,284,145

West Hartford

211,483

West Haven

339,563

Windham

1,248,096

Windsor

9,660

Windsor Locks

32,533

Borough of Danielson (Killingly)

2,232

Borough of Litchfield

143

Middletown: South Fire District

1,172

Plainfield - Plainfield Fire District

309

West Haven First Center (D1)

1,187

West Haven: Allingtown FD (D3)

53,053

West Haven: West Shore FD (D2)

35,065

[(e)(1)](2)For the fiscal year ending [June 30, 2018]June 30, 2020, and each fiscal year thereafter, if the total of grants payable to each municipality and district in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of said subsection (b) for said fiscal years:

(A)The amount of the grant payable to each municipality for qualified state, municipal or tribal property and to each municipality or district for qualified college and hospital property shall be reduced proportionately, provided the percentage of the property taxes payable to a municipality or district with respect to such property shall not be lower than the percentage paid to the municipality or district for such property for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015;

(B)The amount of the grant payable to each municipality or district for select college and hospital property shall be reduced as follows:
(i) Tier one districts or municipalities shall each receive a grant in lieu of taxes equal to forty-two per cent of the property taxes that would have been paid to such municipality or district on select college and hospital property;
(ii) tier two districts or municipalities shall each receive a grant in lieu of taxes equal to thirty-seven per cent of the property taxes that would have been paid to such municipality or district on select college and hospital property;
and (iii) tier three districts or municipalities shall each receive a grant in lieu of taxes equal to thirty-two per cent of the property taxes that would have been paid to such municipality or district on select college and hospital property.
Grants in excess of thirty-two per cent of the property taxes that would have been paid to tier one districts or municipalities and to tier two districts or municipalities on select college and hospital property shall be payable from the select payment in lieu of taxes account;
and

(C)The amount of the grant payable to each municipality for select state property shall be reduced as follows:
(i) Tier one municipalities shall each receive a grant in lieu of taxes equal to thirty-two per cent of the property taxes that would have been paid to such municipality for select state property;
(ii) tier two municipalities shall each receive a grant in lieu of taxes equal to twenty-eight per cent of the property taxes that would have been paid to such municipality for select state property;
and (iii) tier three municipalities shall each receive a grant in lieu of taxes equal to twenty-four per cent of the property taxes that would have been paid to such municipality for select state property.
Grants in excess of twenty-four per cent of the property taxes that would have been paid to tier one municipalities and to tier two municipalities on select state property shall be payable from the select payment in lieu of taxes account.

[(2)](3) If the total of grants payable to each municipality and district in accordance with the provisions of subsection (b) of this section and subdivision [(1)](2) of this subsection exceeds the amount appropriated for the purposes of said subsection and the amount available in the select payment in lieu of taxes account in any fiscal year, the amount of the grant payable to each municipality for state, municipal or tribal property and to each municipality or district for college and hospital property shall be reduced proportionately, provided (A) the grant payable to tier one districts or municipalities for select college and hospital property shall be ten percentage points more than the grant payable to tier three districts or municipalities for such property, (B) the grant payable to tier two districts or municipalities for select college and hospital property shall be five percentage points more than the grant payable to tier three districts or municipalities for such property, (C) the grant payable to tier one municipalities for select state property shall be eight percentage points more than the grant payable to tier three municipalities for such property, and (D) the grant payable to tier two municipalities for select state property shall be four percentage points more than the grant payable to tier three municipalities for such property.
Grants to tier one municipalities or districts and grants to tier two municipalities or districts in excess of grants paid to tier three municipalities or districts that would have been paid on select college and hospital property shall be payable from the select payment in lieu of taxes account.
Grants to tier one municipalities and grants to tier two municipalities in excess of grants paid to tier three municipalities that would have been paid on select state property shall be payable from the select payment in lieu of taxes account.

Sec.
191.
Section 12-18c of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

There is established an account to be known as the "select payment in lieu of taxes account" which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund.
The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account.
Moneys in the account shall be expended by the Office of Policy and Management for the purposes of making select grants to municipalities and districts for payments in lieu of taxes as provided for in [subsection (d) of this section]subdivision (1) of subsection (e) of section 12-18b, as amended by this act, subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subdivision [(1)](2) of subsection (e) of section 12-18b, as amended by this act,[and] subdivision [(2)](3) of subsection (e) of section 12-18b, as amended by this act, and for any other purpose expressly provided by law.

Sec.
192.
Subsection (a) of section 12-7c of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall, on or before February 15, [2017]2018, and biennially thereafter, submit to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance, revenue and bonding, and post on [said]the department's Internet web site a report on the overall incidence of the income tax, sales and excise taxes, the corporation business tax and property tax.
The report shall present information on the distribution of the tax burden as follows:

(1)For individuals:

(A)Income classes, including income distribution expressed for every ten percentage points;
and

(B)Other appropriate taxpayer characteristics, as determined by said commissioner.

(2)For businesses:

(A)Business size as established by gross receipts;

(B)Legal organization;
and

(C)Industry by NAICS code.

Sec.
193.
Section 45a-107 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) The basic fees for all proceedings in the settlement of the estate of any deceased person, including succession and estate tax proceedings, shall be in accordance with the provisions of this section.

(b) In the case of a decedent who dies on or after July 1, 2016, fees shall be computed as follows:

(1)The basis for fees shall be (A) the greatest of (i) the gross estate for succession tax purposes, as provided in section 12-349, (ii) the inventory, including all supplements thereto, (iii) the Connecticut taxable estate, as defined in section 12-391, or (iv) the gross estate for estate tax purposes, as provided in chapters 217 and 218, except as provided in subdivisions (5) and (6) of this subsection, plus (B) all damages recovered for injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries that are not reimbursable by medical insurance, and minus the attorney's fees and other costs and expenses of recovering such damages. Any portion of the basis for fees that is determined by property passing to the surviving spouse shall be reduced by fifty per cent. Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, in no case shall the minimum fee be less than twenty-five dollars.

(2)Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, fees shall be assessed in accordance with the following table:

Basis for Computation

Of Fees

Total Fee

0 to $500

$25

$501 to $1,000

$50

$1,000 to $10,000

$50, plus 1% of all

in excess of $1,000

$10,000 to $500,000

$150, plus .35% of all

in excess of $10,000

$500,000 to $2,000,000

$1,865, plus .25% of all

in excess of $500,000

$2,000,000 to $8,877,000

$5,615 plus .5% of all

in excess of $2,000,000

$8,877,000 and over

$40,000

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, if the basis for fees is less than ten thousand dollars and a full estate is opened, the minimum fee shall be one hundred fifty dollars.

(4)In any matter in which the Commissioner of Administrative Services is the legal representative of the estate pursuant to section 4a-16, the fee shall be the lesser of (A) the amount calculated under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, or (B) the amount collected by the Commissioner of Administrative Services after paying the expense of funeral and burial in accordance with section 17b-84.

(5)In the case of a deceased person who was domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death, the gross estate for estate tax purposes shall, for the purpose of determining the basis for fees pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, be reduced by the fair market value of any real property or tangible personal property of the deceased person situated outside of this state.

(6)In the case of a deceased person who was not domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death but who owned real property or tangible personal property situated in this state on the date of his or her death, only the fair market value of such real property or tangible personal property situated in this state shall be included in the basis for fees pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.

[(b)](c) In the case of a decedent who dies on or after January 1, 2015, and prior to July 1, 2016, fees shall be computed as follows:

(1)The basis for fees shall be (A) the greatest of (i) the gross estate for succession tax purposes, as provided in section 12-349, (ii) the inventory, including all supplements thereto, (iii) the Connecticut taxable estate, as defined in section 12-391, or (iv) the gross estate for estate tax purposes, as provided in chapters 217 and 218, except as provided in subdivisions (5) and (6) of this subsection, plus (B) all damages recovered for injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries that are not reimbursable by medical insurance, and minus the attorney's fees and other costs and expenses of recovering such damages.
Any portion of the basis for fees that is determined by property passing to the surviving spouse shall be reduced by fifty per cent.
Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, in no case shall the minimum fee be less than twenty-five dollars.

(2)Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, fees shall be assessed in accordance with the following table:

Basis for Computation

Of Fees

Total Fee

0 to $
500

$
25

$
501 to $
1,000

$
50

$
1,000 to $
10,000

$
50, plus 1% of all

in excess of $
1,000

$
10,000 to $
500,000

$
150, plus .
35% of all

in excess of $
10,000

$
500,000 to $
2,000,000

$
1,865, plus .
25% of all

in excess of $
500,000

$
2,000,000 and over

$
5,615 plus .
5% of all

in excess of $
2,000,000

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, if the basis for fees is less than ten thousand dollars and a full estate is opened, the minimum fee shall be one hundred fifty dollars.

(4)In any matter in which the Commissioner of Administrative Services is the legal representative of the estate pursuant to section 4a-16, the fee shall be the lesser of (A) the amount calculated under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, or (B) the amount collected by the Commissioner of Administrative Services after paying the expense of funeral and burial in accordance with section 17b-84.

(5)In the case of a deceased person who was domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death, the gross estate for estate tax purposes shall, for the purpose of determining the basis for fees pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, be reduced by the fair market value of any real property or tangible personal property of the deceased person situated outside of this state.

(6)In the case of a deceased person who was not domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death but who owned real property or tangible personal property situated in this state on the date of his or her death, only the fair market value of such real property or tangible personal property situated in this state shall be included in the basis for fees pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.

[(c)](d) For estates in which proceedings were commenced on or after January 1, 2011, for decedents who died before January 1, 2015, fees shall be computed as follows:

(1)The basis for fees shall be (A) the greatest of (i) the gross estate for succession tax purposes, as provided in section 12-349, (ii) the inventory, including all supplements thereto, (iii) the Connecticut taxable estate, as defined in section 12-391, or (iv) the gross estate for estate tax purposes, as provided in chapters 217 and 218, except as provided in subdivisions (5) and (6) of this subsection, plus (B) all damages recovered for injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries that are not reimbursable by medical insurance, and minus the attorney's fees and other costs and expenses of recovering such damages.
Any portion of the basis for fees that is determined by property passing to the surviving spouse shall be reduced by fifty per cent.
Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, in no case shall the minimum fee be less than twenty-five dollars.

(2)Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, fees shall be assessed in accordance with the following table:

Basis for Computation

Of Fees

Total Fee

0 to $
500

$
25

$
501 to $
1,000

$
50

$
1,000 to $
10,000

$
50, plus 1% of all

in excess of $
1,000

$
10,000 to $
500,000

$
150, plus .
35% of all

in excess of $
10,000

$
500,000 to $
4,754,000

$
1,865, plus .
25% of all

in excess of $
500,000

$
4,754,000 and over

$
12,500

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, if the basis for fees is less than ten thousand dollars and a full estate is opened, the minimum fee shall be one hundred fifty dollars.

(4)In any matter in which the Commissioner of Administrative Services is the legal representative of the estate pursuant to section 4a-16, the fee shall be the lesser of (A) the amount calculated under subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, or (B) the amount collected by the Commissioner of Administrative Services after paying the expense of funeral and burial in accordance with section 17b-84.

(5)In the case of a deceased person who was domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death, the gross estate for estate tax purposes shall, for the purpose of determining the basis for fees pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, be reduced by the fair market value of any real property or tangible personal property of the deceased person situated outside of this state.

(6)In the case of a deceased person who was not domiciled in this state on the date of his or her death but who owned real property or tangible personal property situated in this state on the date of his or her death, only the fair market value of such real property or tangible personal property situated in this state shall be included in the basis for fees pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.

[(d)](e)For estates in which proceedings were commenced on or after April 1, 1998, and prior to January 1, 2011, fees shall be computed as follows:

(1)The basis for fees shall be (A) the gross estate for succession tax purposes, as provided in section 12-349, the inventory, including all supplements thereto, the Connecticut taxable estate, as defined in section 12-391, or the gross estate for estate tax purposes, as provided in chapters 217 and 218, whichever is greater, plus (B) all damages recovered for injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries resulting in death, minus any hospital and medical expenses for treatment of such injuries that are not reimbursable by medical insurance and minus the attorney's fees and other costs and expenses of recovering such damages.
Any portion of the basis for fees that is determined by property passing to the surviving spouse shall be reduced by fifty per cent.
Except as provided in subdivision (3) of this subsection, in no case shall the minimum fee be less than twenty-five dollars.

(2)Except as provided in subdivisions (3) and (4) of this subsection, fees shall be assessed in accordance with the following table:

Basis for Computation

Of Fees

Total Fee

0 to $
500

$
25

$
501 to $
1,000

$
50

$
1,000 to $
10,000

$
50, plus 1% of all

in excess of $
1,000

$
10,000 to $
500,000

$
150, plus .
35% of all

in excess of $
10,000

$
500,000 to $
4,754,000

$
1,865, plus .
25% of all

in excess of $
500,000

$
4,754,000 and over

$
12,500

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, if the basis for fees is less than ten thousand dollars and a full estate is opened, the minimum fee shall be one hundred fifty dollars.

(4)In estates where the gross taxable estate is less than six hundred thousand dollars, in which no succession tax return is required to be filed, a probate fee of .
1 per cent shall be charged against non-solely-owned real estate, in addition to any other fees computed under this section.

[(e)](f)A fee of fifty dollars shall be payable to the court by any creditor applying to the Probate Court pursuant to section 45a-364 for consideration of a claim.
If such claim is allowed by the court, the court may order the fiduciary to reimburse the amount of such fee from the estate.

[(f)](g)A fee of fifty dollars, plus the actual expenses of rescheduling the adjourned hearing that are payable under section 45a-109, shall be payable to the court by any party who requests an adjournment of a scheduled hearing or whose failure to appear necessitates an adjournment, except that the court, for cause shown, may waive either the fifty-dollar fee or the actual expenses of rescheduling the adjourned hearing, or both.

[(g)](h)A fee of two hundred fifty dollars shall be payable to the Probate Court by a petitioner filing a motion to permit an attorney who has not been admitted as an attorney under the provisions of section 51-80 to appear pro hac vice in a matter in the Probate Court.

[(h)](i)A fee of fifty dollars shall be payable to the Probate Court by a petitioner filing a petition to open a safe deposit box under section 45a-277 or 45a-284.

[(i)](j)A fee of fifty dollars shall be payable to the Probate Court by a petitioner filing a petition for appointment of an estate examiner under section 45a-317a.

[(j)](k)The fee for mediation conducted by a member of the panel established by the Probate Court Administrator is three hundred fifty dollars per day or part thereof.

[(k)](l) Except as provided in subsections [(e) to (j)](f) to (k), inclusive, of this section, in no event shall any fee exceed (1) ten thousand dollars for any estate in which proceedings were commenced prior to April 1, 1998, [and](2) twelve thousand five hundred dollars for any estate in which proceedings were commenced on or after April 1, 1998, for decedents dying before January 1, 2015, and (3) forty thousand dollars for decedents dying on or after July 1, 2016. Fees calculated in accordance with subsection (c) of this section for the estates of decedents dying on or after January 1, 2015, and prior to July 1, 2016, shall not be subject to a maximum amount.

[(l)](m)In the case of decedents who die on or after January 1, 2011:

(1)Any fees assessed under this section that are not paid within thirty days of the date of an invoice from the Probate Court shall bear interest at the rate of one-half of one per cent per month or portion thereof until paid;

(2)If a tax return or a copy of a tax return required under subparagraph (D) of subdivision (3) of subsection (b) of section 12-392 is not filed with a Probate Court by the due date for such return or copy under subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 12-392 or by the date an extension under subdivision (4) of subsection (b) of section 12-392 expires, the fees that would have been due under this section if such return or copy had been filed by such due date or expiration date shall bear interest at the rate of one-half of one per cent per month or portion thereof from the date that is thirty days after such due date or expiration date, whichever is later, until paid.
If a return or copy is filed with a Probate Court on or before such due date or expiration date, whichever is later, the fees assessed shall bear interest as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection;

(3)A Probate Court may extend the time for payment of any fees under this section, including interest, if it appears to the court that requiring payment by such due date or expiration date would cause undue hardship.
No additional interest shall accrue during the period of such extension.
A Probate Court may not waive interest outside of any extension period;

(4)The interest requirements in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection shall not apply if:

(A)The basis for fees for the estate does not exceed forty thousand dollars;
or

(B)The basis for fees for the estate does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars and any portion of the property included in the basis for fees passes to a surviving spouse.

Sec.
194.
Subsection (b) of section 45a-107b of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes, as amended by section 64 of public act 16-65, is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(b) The fees imposed under [subsection (b)]subsections (b) and (c) of section 45a-107, as amended by this act, shall be a lien in favor of the state of Connecticut upon any real property located in this state that is included in the basis for fees of the estate of a deceased person, from the due date until paid, with interest that may accrue in addition thereto, except that such lien shall not be valid as against any bona fide purchaser or qualified encumbrancer until notice of such lien is filed or recorded in the town clerk's office or place where mortgages, liens and conveyances of such property are required by statute to be filed or recorded.

Sec.
195.
Subsection (a) of section 19a-493b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2016):

(a) As used in this section and subsection (a) of section 19a-490, "outpatient surgical facility" means any entity, individual, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or association, other than a hospital, engaged in providing surgical services or diagnostic procedures for human health conditions that include the use of moderate or deep sedation, moderate or deep analgesia or general anesthesia, as such levels of anesthesia are defined from time to time by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, or by such other professional or accrediting entity recognized by the Department of Public Health.
An outpatient surgical facility that operates as an ambulatory surgical center, as defined in 42 CFR 416.2, as amended from time to time, may provide surgical services to patients requiring a period of post-operative observation but not requiring hospitalization if the expected duration of services does not exceed twenty-four hours following an admission. An outpatient surgical facility shall not include a medical office owned and operated exclusively by a person or persons licensed pursuant to section 20-13, provided such medical office:
(1) Has no operating room or designated surgical area;
(2) bills no facility fees to third party payers;
(3) administers no deep sedation or general anesthesia;
(4) performs only minor surgical procedures incidental to the work performed in said medical office of the physician or physicians that own and operate such medical office;
and (5) uses only light or moderate sedation or analgesia in connection with such incidental minor surgical procedures.
The Department of Public Health shall adopt any policies and procedures necessary to carry out the provisions of this section and shall operate under such policies and procedures while it is in the process of adopting such policies and procedures as regulations in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, provided the department posts such policies and procedures on the eRegulations System not later than twenty days after the date such policies and procedures are implemented.

Sec.
196.
(Effective from passage) Not later than July 1, 2016, the Commissioner of Public Health shall (1) study the implications of the amendments to subsection (a) of section 19a-493b of the general statutes set forth in this act, and (2) determine whether regulations are required to carry out such provisions.
If the commissioner determines that such regulations are required, the commissioner may adopt such regulations in accordance with said subsection.

Sec.
197.
(Effective from passage) (a) The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, in consultation with the Commissioner of Revenue Services and the Commissioner of Social Services, shall conduct a study of the impact of the gross receipts tax on ambulatory surgical centers imposed pursuant to section 12-263i of the general statutes.
Such study shall include, but need not be limited to, a review of and recommendations concerning (1) the rate of such tax and the amount of any exemptions under such tax, (2) the fairness of such tax as applied to ambulatory surgical centers of varying sizes and capacities, (3) the relationship of such tax to the operating costs of ambulatory surgical centers, (4) the impact of such tax on the ability of ambulatory surgical centers to make debt service payments related to such center and capital improvements to such center, (5) the implications of such tax on the hours of operation of such ambulatory surgical centers, and (6) other possible tax structures.

(b) Not later than February 1, 2017, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall report on the results of such study, in accordance with section 11-4a of the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to finance and public health.

Sec.
198.
Section 12-39o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017):

(a) For purposes of this section, "license" means (1) any license issued by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of chapter 214, (2) any license issued by the commissioner pursuant to the provisions of section 12-330b, or (3) a seller's permit issued by the commissioner pursuant to section 12-409.

(b) Prior to issuing or renewing the license of any person, the commissioner may determine whether such person has failed to file any returns required to be filed with the commissioner by such person. If the commissioner determines that such person has failed to file any required returns, the commissioner shall not issue a license to, or renew the license of, such person until such person files all outstanding returns or makes an arrangement satisfactory to the commissioner to file all outstanding returns.

[(b)](c) Prior to issuing or renewing the license of any person, the commissioner may determine whether such person owes taxes to this state, which taxes are finally due and payable and with respect to which any administrative or judicial remedies, or both, have been exhausted or have lapsed.
If the commissioner determines that such person owes such taxes, the commissioner shall not issue a license to, or renew the license of, such person, until such person pays such taxes, or makes an arrangement satisfactory to the commissioner to pay such taxes.

Sec.
199.
Subsection (b) of section 12-218 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage and applicable to income years commencing on or after January 1, 2016):

(b)Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, on and after January 1, 2016, the net income of the taxpayer shall be apportioned within and without the state by means of an apportionment fraction.
The apportionment fraction shall represent the part of the taxpayer's gross receipts from sales or other sources during the income year, computed according to the method of accounting used in the computation of its entire net income, which is assignable to the state, and excluding any gross receipts attributable to an international banking facility as defined in section 12-217.[,but including]For the purposes of this subsection:

(1) Gross receipts from sales of tangible personal property are assignable to this state if the property is delivered or shipped to a purchaser within this state, other than a company which qualifies as a Domestic International Sales Corporation (DISC) as defined in Section 992 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, or any subsequent corresponding internal revenue code of the United States, as from time to time amended, and as to which a valid election under Subsection (b) of said Section 992 to be treated as a DISC is effective, regardless of the F.
O.
B.
point or other conditions of the sale.[,]

(2) Gross receipts from services [performed within the state, rentals and royalties from properties situated within the state, royalties from the use of patents or copyrights within the state,]are assignable to this state if the market for services is in this state. The taxpayer's market for the services is in this state if and to the extent the service is used at a location in this state.

(3) Gross receipts from the rental, lease or license of real or tangible personal property are assignable to this state to the extent such property is situated within the state.

(4) Gross receipts from the rental, lease or license of intangible property are assignable to this state if and to the extent the property is used in this state. Intangible property utilized in marketing a good or service to a consumer is used in this state if that good or service is purchased by a consumer in this state.

(5) Gross receipts from interest managed or controlled within the state [, net gains from the sale or other disposition of intangible assets managed or controlled within the state, net gains from the sale or other disposition of tangible assets situated within the state and all other receipts earned within the state]are assignable to this state.

(6) Gross receipts from the sale or other disposition of real property, tangible personal property or intangible property are excluded from the calculation of the apportionment fraction if such property is not held by the taxpayer primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's trade or business.

(7) Gross receipts, other than those receipts described in subdivisions (1) to (6), inclusive, of this subsection, are assignable to this state to the extent the taxpayer's market for the sales is in this state.

(8) If a taxpayer concludes that it cannot reasonably determine the assignment of its receipts in accordance with subdivisions (1) to (7), inclusive, of this subsection, such taxpayer may petition the commissioner for approval to use a methodology that reasonably approximates the assignment of such receipts provided for in this subsection. Any such petition shall be submitted not later than sixty days prior to the due date of the return for the first income year to which the petition applies, determined with regard to any extension of time for filing such return. The commissioner shall grant or deny such petition before such due date.

Sec.
200.
Subsection (c) of section 12-711 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017, and applicable to income years commencing on or after January 1, 2017):

(c)(1)If a business, trade, profession or occupation is carried on partly within and partly without this state, as determined under rules or regulations of the commissioner, the items of income, gain, loss and deduction derived from or connected with sources within this state shall be determined by apportionment under such rules or regulations and the provisions of this subsection.

(2)The proportion of the net amount of the items of income, gain, loss and deduction attributable to the activities of the business, trade, profession or occupation carried on in this state shall be determined by multiplying the net amount of the items of income, gain, loss and deduction of the business, trade, profession or occupation by the [average of the percentages of property, payroll and gross income in this state]gross income percentage.
The gross income percentage shall be computed by dividing the gross receipts from sales [of property or services] earned within this state by the total gross receipts from sales,[of property or services,] whether earned within or without this state.
For the purposes of this subdivision:

(A) Gross receipts from sales of tangible personal property are considered to be earned within this state when the property is delivered or shipped to a purchaser within this state, regardless of the F.
O.
B.
point or other conditions of the sale.

(B) Gross receipts from sales of services are considered to be earned within this state [when the services are performed by an employee, agent, agency or independent contractor chiefly situated at, connected by contract or otherwise, with or sent out from, offices or branches of the business, trade, profession or occupation or other agencies or locations situated within this state.
]if the market for the services is in this state. The taxpayer's market for services is in this state if and to the extent the service is used at a location in this state.

(C) Gross receipts from the rental, lease or license of tangible personal property are considered to be earned within this state if and to the extent such property is situated in this state.

(D) Gross receipts from the rental, lease or license of intangible property are considered to be earned within this state if and to the extent such property is used in this state. Intangible property utilized in marketing a good or service to a consumer is used in this state if that good or service is purchased by a consumer in this state.

(E) Gross receipts from the sale or other disposition of tangible personal property or intangible property are excluded from the gross income percentage if such property is not held by the taxpayer primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of the taxpayer's trade or business.

(F) Gross receipts from the sale, rental, lease or license of real property are excluded from the gross income percentage.

(G) Gross receipts, other than those receipts described in subparagraphs (A) to (F), inclusive, of this subdivision, are considered to be earned within this state to the extent the taxpayer's market for the sales is in this state.

(H) If a taxpayer concludes that it cannot reasonably determine where its gross receipts are earned in accordance with subparagraphs (A) to (G), inclusive, of this subdivision, such taxpayer may petition the commissioner for approval to use a methodology that reasonably approximates the method for determining where such receipts are earned provided for in this subdivision. Any such petition shall be submitted not later than sixty days prior to the due date of the return for the first taxable year to which the petition applies, determined with regard to any extension of time for filing such return. The commissioner shall grant or deny such petition before such due date.

Sec.
201.
Subsection (a) of section 12-712 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective January 1, 2017, and applicable to income years commencing on or after January 1, 2017):

(a) (1) The portion of a nonresident partner's distributive share of partnership income that is derived from or connected with sources within this state shall be determined [pursuant to regulations adopted by the commissioner, which regulations shall be consistent]in accordance with the provisions of section 12-711, as amended by this act.

(2)The portion of a nonresident shareholder's pro rata share of S corporation income that is derived from or connected with sources within this state shall be determined [pursuant to regulations adopted by the commissioner, which regulations shall be consistent]in accordance with the provisions of section 12-711, as amended by this act.

(3)The portion of a nonresident beneficiary's share of trust or estate income that is derived from or connected with sources within this state shall be determined [under regulations adopted by the commissioner, which regulations shall be consistent]in accordance with the provisions of section 12-711, as amended by this act.

Sec.
202.
Section 12-412 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes, as amended by section 196 of public act 14-217, is amended by adding subdivisions (122) and (123) as follows (Effective July 1, 2018, and applicable to sales occurring on and after said date):

(NEW) (122) Sales of feminine hygiene products.

(NEW) (123) Sales of disposable or reusable diapers.

Sec.
203.
Subsection (c) of section 12-41 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof(Effective July 1, 2016):

(c)The annual declaration of the tangible personal property owned by such person on the assessment date, shall include, but is not limited to, the following property:
Machinery used in mills and factories, cables, wires, poles, underground mains, conduits, pipes and other fixtures of water, gas, electric and heating companies, leasehold improvements classified as other than real property and furniture and fixtures of stores, offices, hotels, restaurants, taverns, halls, factories and manufacturers.
Tangible personal property does not include a sign placed on a property indicating that the property is for sale or lease. Commercial or financial information in any declaration filed under this section shall not be open for public inspection but may be disclosed to municipal officers for tax collection purposes.

Sec.
204.
(Effective from passage) Notwithstanding the provisions of title 7, chapters 170 and 204 of the general statutes, any special act, municipal charter or home rule ordinance, each municipality may, from the effective date of this section through June 30, 2017, inclusive, amend a budget adopted by the municipality, if (1) state aid to such municipality is reduced below the amount projected for such budget after such budget is adopted, (2) the amendment to such budget is in an amount not to exceed the amount of such reduced state aid to the municipality, and (3) the amendment to such budget is approved in the same manner as such budget was originally approved.
For the purposes of this section, "municipality" means any town, city, borough, consolidated town and city, consolidated town and borough.

Sec.
205.
Section 21a-415 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) On and after March 1, 2016, no person in this state may sell, offer for sale or possess with intent to sell an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product unless such person has obtained an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration from the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to this section for the place of business where such system or product is sold, offered for sale or possessed with the intent to sell.
An electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration shall allow the sale of electronic nicotine delivery systems or vapor products at such place of business.
A holder of an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration shall post such registration in a prominent location adjacent to electronic nicotine delivery system products or vapor products offered for sale.
For the purposes of this section, "person" means each owner of a business organization, or such owner's authorized designee, provided each affiliate of a business organization that is under common control or ownership shall constitute a separate person and "person" includes, but is not limited to, retailers, wholesalers and dealers.

(b)(1)On or after January 1, 2016, any person desiring an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration or a renewal of such a certificate of dealer registration shall make a sworn application therefor to the Department of Consumer Protection upon forms to be furnished by the department, showing the name,[and] address and electronic mail address of the applicant [,]and the location of the place of business which is to be operated under such certificate of dealer registration.[and a financial statement setting forth all elements and details of any business transactions connected with the application.
The application shall also indicate any crimes of which the applicant has been convicted.
Applicants shall]The department may require that an applicant submit documents sufficient to establish that state and local building, fire and zoning requirements will be met at the location of any sale.
The department may, in its discretion, conduct an investigation to determine whether a certificate of dealer registration shall be issued to an applicant.

(2)The commissioner shall issue an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration to any such applicant not later than thirty days after the date of application unless the commissioner finds:
(A) The applicant has wilfully made a materially false statement in such application or in any other application made to the commissioner;
or (B) the applicant has neglected to pay any taxes due to this state.[;
or (C) the applicant has been convicted of violating any of the cigarette or other tobacco products tax laws of this or any other state or the cigarette tax laws of the United States or has such a criminal record that the commissioner reasonably believes that such applicant is not a suitable person to be issued a license, provided no refusal shall be rendered under this subdivision except in accordance with the provisions of sections 46a-80 and 46a-81.
]

(3)A certificate of dealer registration issued under this section shall be renewed annually and may be suspended or revoked at the discretion of the Department of Consumer Protection.
Any person aggrieved by a denial of an application, refusal to renew a dealer registration or suspension or revocation of a dealer registration may appeal in the manner prescribed for permits under section 30-55.
An electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration shall not constitute property, nor shall it be subject to attachment and execution, nor shall it be alienable.[, except that it shall descend to the estate of a deceased holder of a certificate of dealer registration by the laws of testate or intestate succession.
]

(4)The applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable application fee of seventy-five dollars, which fee shall be in addition to the annual fee prescribed in subsection (c) of this section.
An application fee shall not be charged for an application to renew a certificate of dealer registration.

[(5)In any case in which a certificate of dealer registration has been issued to a partnership, if one or more of the partners dies or retires, the remaining partner or partners need not file a new application for the unexpired portion of the current certificate of dealer registration, and no additional fee for such unexpired portion shall be required.
Notice of any such change shall be given to the department and the certificate of dealer registration shall be endorsed to show correct ownership.
Whenever any partnership changes by reason of the addition of one or more partners, a new application and the payment of new application and annual fees shall be required.
]

(c)The annual fee for an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration shall be four hundred dollars.

(d)The department may renew a certificate of dealer registration issued under this section that has expired if the applicant pays to the department any fine imposed by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (c) of section 21a-4, which fine shall be in addition to the fees prescribed in this section for the certificate of dealer registration applied for.
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any certificate of dealer registration which is the subject of administrative or court proceedings.

(e)(1)Any person in this state who knowingly sells, offers for sale or possesses with intent to sell an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product [without]from a place of business that does not have a certificate of dealer registration as required under this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars for each day of such violation, except that the commissioner may waive all or any part of such fine if it is proven to the commissioner's satisfaction that the failure to obtain or renew such certificate of dealer registration was due to reasonable cause.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, any person whose electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration for the place of business where electronic nicotine delivery systems or vapor products are sold, offered for sale or possessed with the intent to sell has expired and who knowingly sells, offers for sale or possesses with intent to sell an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product, where such person's period of operation without such certificate of dealer registration is not more than ninety days from the date of expiration of such certificate of dealer registration, shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined ninety dollars.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, no penalty shall be imposed under this subsection unless the commissioner sends written notice of any violation to the person who is subject to a penalty under subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection and allows such person sixty days from the date such notice was sent to cease such violation and comply with the requirements of this section.
Such written notice shall be sent [, within available appropriations,] by mail evidenced by a certificate of mailing or other similar United States Postal Service form from which the date of deposit can be verified or by electronic mail to the electronic mail address designated by such person on its application or renewal application for nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration.

Sec.
206.
Section 21a-415a of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):

(a) On and after March 1, 2016, no person in this state may manufacture an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product unless such person has obtained an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of manufacturer registration from the Commissioner of Consumer Protection pursuant to this section for the place of business where such system or product is manufactured.
An electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of manufacturer registration shall allow the manufacture of electronic nicotine delivery systems or vapor products in this state at such place of business.
For the purposes of this section, "manufacturer" means any person who mixes, compounds, repackages or resizes any nicotine-containing electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product, and "person" means each owner of a business organization, provided each affiliate of a business organization that is under common control or ownership shall constitute a separate person.

(b)(1)On or after January 1, 2016, any person desiring an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of manufacturer registration or a renewal of such a certificate of manufacturer registration shall make a sworn application therefor to the Department of Consumer Protection upon forms to be furnished by the department, showing the name,[and] address and electronic mail address of the applicant [,]and the location of the place of business which is to be operated under such certificate of manufacturer registration.[and a financial statement setting forth all elements and details of any business transactions connected with the application.
The application shall also indicate any crimes of which the applicant has been convicted.
Applicants shall]The department may require that an applicant submit documents sufficient to establish that state and local building, fire and zoning requirements will be met at the place of manufacture.
The department may, in its discretion, conduct an investigation to determine whether a certificate of manufacturer registration shall be issued to an applicant.

(2)The commissioner shall issue an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of manufacturer registration to any such applicant not later than thirty days after the date of application unless the commissioner finds:
(A) The applicant has wilfully made a materially false statement in such application or in any other application made to the commissioner;
or (B) the applicant has neglected to pay any taxes due to this state.[;
or (C) the applicant has been convicted of violating any of the cigarette or other tobacco products tax laws of this or any other state or the cigarette tax laws of the United States or has such a criminal record that the commissioner reasonably believes that such applicant is not a suitable person to be issued a license, provided no refusal shall be rendered under this subdivision except in accordance with the provisions of sections 46a-80 and 46a-81.
]

(3)A certificate of manufacturer registration issued under this section shall be renewed annually and may be suspended or revoked at the discretion of the Department of Consumer Protection.
Any person aggrieved by a denial of an application, refusal to renew a certificate of manufacturer registration or suspension or revocation of a certificate of manufacturer registration may appeal in the manner prescribed for permits under section 30-55.
An electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of manufacturer registration shall not constitute property, nor shall it be subject to attachment and execution, nor shall it be alienable.[, except that it shall descend to the estate of a deceased holder of a certificate of manufacturer registration by the laws of testate or intestate succession.
]

(4)The applicant shall pay to the department a nonrefundable application fee of seventy-five dollars, which fee shall be in addition to the annual fee prescribed in subsection (c) of this section.
An application fee shall not be charged for an application to renew a certificate of manufacturer registration.

[(5)In any case in which a certificate of manufacturer registration has been issued to a partnership, if one or more of the partners dies or retires, the remaining partner or partners need not file a new application for the unexpired portion of the current certificate of manufacturer registration, and no additional fee for such unexpired portion shall be required.
Notice of any such change shall be given to the department and the certificate of manufacturer registration shall be endorsed to show correct ownership.
Whenever any partnership changes by reason of the addition of one or more partners, a new application and the payment of new application and annual fees shall be required.
]

(c)The annual fee for an electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of manufacturer registration shall be four hundred dollars.

(d)The department may renew a certificate of manufacturer registration issued under this section that has expired if the applicant pays to the department any fine imposed by the commissioner pursuant to subsection (c) of section 21a-4, which fine shall be in addition to the fees prescribed in this section for the certificate of manufacturer registration applied for.
The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any certificate of manufacturer registration which is the subject of administrative or court proceedings.

(e)(1)Any person in this state who knowingly manufactures an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product [without]from a place of business that does not have a certificate of manufacturer registration as required under this section shall be fined not more than fifty dollars for each day of such violation, except that the commissioner may waive all or any part of such fine if it is proven to the commissioner's satisfaction that the failure to obtain or renew such certificate of manufacturer registration was due to reasonable cause.

(2)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (1) of this subsection, any person whose electronic nicotine delivery system certificate of manufacturer registration for the place of business where electronic nicotine delivery systems or vapor products are manufactured has expired and who manufactures in this state an electronic nicotine delivery system or vapor product, where such person's period of operation without such certificate of manufacturer registration is not more than ninety days from the date of expiration of such certificate of manufacturer registration, shall have committed an infraction and shall be fined ninety dollars.

(3)Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, no penalty shall be imposed under this subsection unless the commissioner sends written notice of any violation to the person who is subject to a penalty under subdivision (1) or (2) of this subsection and allows such person sixty days from the date such notice was sent to cease such violation and comply with the requirements of this section.
Such written notice shall be sent [, within available appropriations,] by mail evidenced by a certificate of mailing or other similar United States Postal Service form from which the date of deposit can be verified or by electronic mail to the electronic mail address designated by such person on its application or renewal application for nicotine delivery system certificate of dealer registration.

Sec.
207.
(Effective from passage) Sections 3 to 12, inclusive, and sections 14 to 21, inclusive, of public act 16-29 shall take effect January 1, 2017.

Sec.
208.
Section 38a-1051 of the 2016 supplement to the general statutes is repealed.
(Effective July 1, 2016)